Jazz Articles about Various Artists

ECM's New :Rarums, Part 3: The Guitarists

by AAJ Staff
April 12, 2004

As much as any other instrument, the guitar has been instrumental in defining the reach and depth of ECM Records. It's captured in full glow on three releases from the label's Rarum series, featuring Pat Metheny, Egberto Gismonti, and John Abercrombie.

While the sure-fire star power from that list comes in the form of Pat Metheny, his 1975-84 work is likely unfamiliar to legions of fans who signed on to his later Geffen material and the lovely Verve ...

West Africa: Frikyiwa's Mix of Ancient and Modern

by AAJ Staff
April 10, 2004

When you've heard (and seen) enough music, you get pretty good at judging a CD by the cover. Sure, the process incurs a lot of failure along the way, but its successes can be dramatic. Such was the case with the tiny French label known as Frikyiwa, which I first encountered in an overflowing bin at my local indie record store. The photography, colors, and design of two records caught my eye, and the obvious references to West African tradition ...

Various Artists: No W... Now!

by AAJ Staff
April 9, 2004

In the interests of full disclosure, it should be stated that No W... Now! is an expressly political CD. It is subtitled “A Musical Petition Against George W. Bush," and proceeds from its sale go to the liberal organization Not In Our Name. While this reviewer has liberal politics, it is fair and appropriate that this review will concern itself entirely with the music.

Not everything here is jazz. Most of the music is what is loosely classified ...

Various Artists: Modern Wild Dub

by AAJ Staff
April 9, 2004

Modern Wild Dub begs attention from the get-go, which is basically good for a collection that aims for positive energy on the dance floor. Subtitled “Dread Meets Disco Punkrocker Downtown," this record leaves the door wide open to a collection of styles. Unfortunately I don't recognize most of the artists on the record, so this review will mostly focus on the music itself. The collection of tracks here is going to both please and upset, depending on your tastes and ...

ECM's New :Rarums, Part 2: The Drummers

by AAJ Staff
April 3, 2004

This, the second of three installments on the subject of ECM Records' latest set of Rarum artist collections, focuses on the drummers. The three represented here include Jack DeJohnette and Paul Motian, two players who have shared the same company at critical junctures (eg. Bill Evans; Keith Jarrett) but share very little in common in terms of playing style. Jon Christensen, unique here because he has not recorded as a leader, has nestled more into the niche of European chamber ...

The :Rarum Series: New Artist Compilations from ECM Records

by AAJ Staff
March 25, 2004

Artist compilations are as old as recording technology itself. They have proven themselves reliable as a way for listeners to collect hits without collecting records, and for record labels to cash in on their big stars. (The greatest selling record of all time, interestingly enough, is a greatest hits release from The Eagles.)

ECM Records, for three decades a fertile ground for jazz talent, has taken the idea to a new level with their new :rarum series. Here ...

ECM's New :Rarums, Part 1: The Bassists

by AAJ Staff
March 25, 2004

After almost two years, ECM Records has returned to its :Rarum series with twelve new compilations. The ideas that have distinguished the series are threefold:give the artist total freedom to select every track on each compilation present extended notes and performance photographs as fresh documentation remaster the recordings for clearer sound

All three are virtuous aims, especially the first. The sound quality is the least important reason to check out the new recordings, since ...