Jazz & Improvisation / All styles

Fourth and last ECM album by the Peter Erskine Trio, with Erskine (drums), John Taylor (piano) and Palle Danielsson (double bass), recorded July 1997 at Rainbow Studio, Oslo, and produced by Manfred Eicher. First released in 1999 as ECM 1657.

The complete first set played by Keith Jarrett (piano), Gary Peacock (double bass) and Jack DeJohnette (drums) at the Blue Note, New York, on 4 June 1994: Autumn Leaves, Days of Wine and Roses, Bop-Be, You Don't Know What Love Is / Muezzin and When I Fall In Love.

Expectations exploded, intentions fleetingly revealed, faith justified. A new album from Keiji Haino's Fushitsusha is always going to be a major event. And to make the release of Origin's Hesitation even more significant, it is the first new album from the group in almost two years, the first studio recordings by the new duo line-up, and the first Fushitsusha album on PSF since 1994's stunning Pathetique. The popular perception of Fushitsusha has usually been as a rock band, albeit one that push…

Keiji Haino's rock trio debuted to the world of recordings with a double live LP set (PSF 3/4 -- long deleted) and then followed it up with this one -- another double live set (completely different material). Mind boggling guitar/bass/drums extensions from the heaviest rock band on planet earth. This 150 minute double-CD (wrapped in stunning all-black cover) is one of the quintessential documents of the modern era.

Recorded 2005-6. 'FURT's new CD combines live sets from Durham and Belfast into a vertiginous journey lasting almost 78 minutes. Richard Barrett and Paul Obermayer once more redefine the outer limits of intensity, virtuosity and improvisational rapport in electronic music in OMNIVM, named after the essential inherent interior essence which is hidden in the root of the kernel of everything in Flann O'Brien's novel The Third Policeman

Album by Tunisian oud player Anouar Brahem with Richard Galliano (accordion), François Couturier (piano, synthesizer), Palle Danielsson (double bass), Jon Christensen (drums) and others, recorded September 1994 at Rainbow Studio, Oslo. First released by ECM in 1995.

John Surman (saxophones, clarinets, piano) with his trio of Chris Laurence and John Marshall and a seven-piece brass section conducted by John Warren. Recorded April 1992 at Angel Studios, London; produced by Surman and Steve Lake.

Duo album by Miroslav Vitous (double bass) and Jan Garbarek (tenor and soprano saxophones), with seven Vitous compositions and two joint improvisations. Recorded February 1992 at Rainbow Studio, Oslo, produced by Manfred Eicher.

Keith Jarrett (piano), Gary Peacock (double bass) and Jack DeJohnette (drums) in a tribute to Miles Davis, recorded on 12 October 1991 at the Power Station, New York, two weeks after his death. Executive producer Manfred Eicher.

First ECM album by the Louis Sclavis Quintet: Sclavis (clarinets, soprano saxophone), Dominique Pifarély (violin), François Raulin (piano, synthesizer), Bruno Chevillon (bass), Christian Ville (drums). Recorded September 1991 at Rainbow Studio, Oslo.

Highlights from small group recordings from the 2001 Freedom of the City festival featuring artists such as Steve Beresford (electronics), John Butcher (saxes), Lol Coxhill (sax), Paul Rutherford (trombone), Phil Minton, and more in various arrangements.

Solo, duo, trio, quartet & octet improvisations by John Edwards (double bass), Sylvia Hallett (violin, voice, sarangi), Marcio Mattos (cello), Neil Metcalfe (flute), Evan Parker (soprano saxophone), John Rangecroft (clarinet), Mark Sanders (percussion), Philipp Wachsmann (violin, electronics). 152 minutes - previously unissued.

Animato is a 1990 ECM album by guitarist John Abercrombie with composer Vince Mendoza (synthesizers) and drummer Jon Christensen, mostly of Mendoza's compositions, recorded in October 1989 at Rainbow Studio, Oslo, and produced by Manfred Eicher.

Extensions is a 1990 ECM album by the Dave Holland Quartet: Holland (double bass), Steve Coleman (alto saxophone), Kevin Eubanks (guitar) and Marvin "Smitty" Smith (drums), recorded in September 1989 at the Power Station, New York, produced by Manfred Eicher.

Triplicate is the only album by the trio of Dave Holland (double bass), Steve Coleman (alto saxophone) and Jack DeJohnette (drums), recorded digitally in March 1988 at the Power Station, New York, produced by Lee Townsend and released by ECM in 1988.

Private City is a 1988 ECM solo album by John Surman, who plays bass clarinet, recorders, soprano and baritone saxophones and synthesizer in multi-tracked pieces, two of them written for a Sadler's Wells ballet. Recorded December 1987 at Rainbow Studio, Oslo.

This is a studio recording, and thus somewhat different in approach and tone to the group's continuous live sets; an example can be heard on a compilation from the 2003 Freedom of the City festival. Here the emphasis is more on developing specific ideas with a consistent logic than on modulating between passages of tension and climax. On the longest track, the 13-minute Absolute Xero, the logic is sure and compelling; Skzypce is more playful, with Wilkinson vocalising through his reed and Noble,…

Oregon's 1987 ECM album, the first after Collin Walcott's death: Ralph Towner (guitars, piano, synthesizer), Paul McCandless (oboe, cor anglais, soprano sax), Glen Moore (double bass) and Trilok Gurtu (tabla, percussion). Recorded March 1987 at Tonstudio Bauer, Ludwigsburg.

Gary Peacock (double bass) with Jan Garbarek (tenor and soprano saxophones), Palle Mikkelborg (trumpet, flugelhorn) and Peter Erskine (drums, drum computer), playing Peacock's compositions. Recorded March 1987 at Rainbow Studio, Oslo.

Second and last album by Marc Johnson's Bass Desires: Johnson (bass), Bill Frisell and John Scofield (guitars), Peter Erskine (drums). Recorded March 1987 at Rainbow Studio, Oslo, produced by Manfred Eicher.

Terje Rypdal (electric guitar, keyboards) with The Chasers, Bjørn Kjellemyr (electric and acoustic bass) and Audun Kleive (drums, percussion). Their second ECM album, recorded November 1986 at Rainbow Studio, Oslo.

Edward Vesala's 1987 ECM album with his eleven-piece Sound and Fury, co-arranged by Iro Haarla (piano, harp), with Raoul Björkenheim (guitar) and Taito Vainio (accordion). Recorded June 1986 at Finnvox Studios, Helsinki.

Norma Winstone's first ECM album as leader, a trio with John Taylor (piano) and Tony Coe (clarinet, tenor saxophone): standards and her own lyrics to tunes by Gismonti, Towner, Wheeler and Bill Evans. Recorded July 1986, Rainbow Studio, Oslo. ECM 1337, 1987.

David Torn's 1987 quartet album with Mark Isham (trumpet, flugelhorn, synthesizer), Tony Levin (Chapman Stick, synthesizer bass) and Bill Bruford (Simmons drums, percussion). Recorded March 1986 at Audio International, London, produced by Manfred Eicher. ECM 1322.

First live album by the Keith Jarrett trio with Gary Peacock (double bass) and Jack DeJohnette (drums): six standards recorded on 2 July 1985 at the Palais des Congrès, Paris, produced by Manfred Eicher. ECM 1317, 1986.

Recorded in Paris, May 27th 2001.

Marc Johnson's debut as a leader: a quartet with guitarists Bill Frisell (also guitar synthesizer) and John Scofield and drummer Peter Erskine, recorded in May 1985 at the Power Station, New York, produced by Manfred Eicher. ECM 1299, 1986.

The short story: Prints is Fred Frith's first album of songs in 20 years. The long story: it is actually a collection of compilation tracks and unreleased studio sessions recorded between 1987 and 2001. No matter if you already own a few of these, a pop album by this man is a rarity -- and that is truly a shame. Of course, as a respected improviser, serious composer, and educator, anything lighter from this pillar of modern music will meet with severe criticism from people who take themse…

Franz Hautzinger: trumpet. Mazen Kerbaj: trumpet. All music improvised, no cuts no overdubbing. Recorded on august 26 2003 at Khalifesh studio lebanon by Raymond Khalifeh. Mix by Mazen Kerbaj and Raymond Khalifeh.

Pat Metheny Group album recorded in February 1984 at Power Station, New York, with Pat Metheny (guitars, guitar synthesizer), Lyle Mays (piano, synthesizers), Steve Rodby (bass), Paul Wertico (drums) and Pedro Aznar (voice, guitar, percussion). Produced by Metheny.

John Abercrombie (guitar) with Jan Hammer (keyboards), Jack DeJohnette (drums) and Michael Brecker (tenor saxophone), recorded in April 1984 at Power Station, New York, and mixed at Rainbow Studio, Oslo. Produced by Manfred Eicher.

Chick Corea's cycle of twenty short solo piano pieces, written between 1971 and 1983, plus an Addendum for piano trio with Ida Kavafian (violin) and Fred Sherry (cello). Recorded in July 1983 at Tonstudio Bauer, Ludwigsburg. Produced by Manfred Eicher.

Kenny Wheeler album of four original compositions, with Michael Brecker (tenor saxophone), John Taylor (piano), Dave Holland (bass) and Jack DeJohnette (drums), recorded in May 1983 at Power Station, New York. Produced by Manfred Eicher.

First ECM album by Oregon (Ralph Towner, Paul McCandless, Collin Walcott, Glen Moore), recorded at Tonstudio Bauer, Ludwigsburg, in March 1983, produced by Manfred Eicher and released in 1983.

First album of the Keith Jarrett trio with Gary Peacock (double bass) and Jack DeJohnette (drums): five standards recorded at the Power Station, New York, in January 1983, produced by Manfred Eicher and released in 1983.

Dino Saluzzi's first ECM album, a solo recording on bandoneon, voice, percussion and flutes, made at Tonstudio Bauer, Ludwigsburg, in November 1982, produced by Manfred Eicher and released in 1983. Eight Saluzzi compositions.

Third ECM album by Miroslav Vitous's quartet, with John Surman (reeds), John Taylor (piano) and Jon Christensen (drums), recorded at Talent Studio, Oslo, in July 1982, produced by Manfred Eicher and released in 1983.

Mike Nock's only ECM album: a piano trio with Eddie Gomez (bass) and Jon Christensen (drums), recorded at Talent Studio, Oslo, in November 1981, produced by Manfred Eicher and first released in 1982. Five Nock compositions.

Lester Bowie's first ECM album as leader, with Donald Smith, Fred Williams and Phillip Wilson, plus Hamiet Bluiett, Fontella Bass and David Peaston on the title track, recorded in June 1981 at Tonstudio Bauer, Ludwigsburg.