Top 10 ECM records

More a list of stuff that's impressed me lately, with a few old favourites chucked in. A "definitve" top 10 would be impossible, for so prestigious a label.

Jimmy Giuffre Three - 1961
A reissue of two classic albums that pre-empt ECM's "chamber jazz" aesthetic by several years.

Arvo Part - Tabula Rasa
A seminal issue that kicked off ECM's New Series

Keith Jarrett - Koln Concert
For old time's sake - played it to death when I bought it

Dave Holland Quartet - Conference of the Birds
Edging towards free jazz teritory but still very listenable

John Taylor - Rosslyn
A rare outing as trio leader for this great British pianist

Tomasz Stanko Quartet - Lontano
Hard to choose one, but this just edges out "Suspended Night" for me

Christian Wallumrod - The Zoo is Far
Pleasingly reticent - reveals its riches gradually

Anat Fort - A Long Story
Excellent mix of the lyrical and the abstract from this quartet

Gianluigi Trovesi - Vaghissimo Rotratto
Fascinating exploration of the notion of popular song through the ages, from the Renaissance to the present

Michael Galasso - High Lines
Pretty left field, I guess, but I played this again recently and like it a lot - violin led, with Terje Rypdal on guitar

Three cheers for ECM!

Here are my ten; of your list I only know Egberto Gismonti and Pat Metheney; the former I like, tha latter I most definitely do not.

I suspect my list is a little more 'mainstream'...

Keith Jarrett - Up for it
Anouar Brahem - Le pas du chat noir
John Surman - The spaces in between
Wasilewski/Kurkiewicz/Miskiewicz - Trio
Thomasz Stanko - Suspended Night
Manu Katche - Neighbourhood
Marc Johnson - Shades of jade
Tord Gustavesen - Being there
Dino Saluzzi - Juan condori
Enrico Rave - Easy living.

Nigel

quote:

I suspect my list is a little more 'mainstream'...

Maybe so, but there's not much on ECM that is terribly hard on the ears (which is not to say it's all "easy listening"). On the rare occasions I'm stuck for something new to listen to, one strategy is simply to buy a couple of ECM CDs by artists I've never heard of. There's a >90% chance I'll enjoy them, or at least find them interesting.

Looking at your list, I think you'd really like the John Taylor CD on mine, if you haven't already heard it. I bought about half a dozen piano trio CDs on ECM last year, and this one really stood out (after a couple of listens). Lovely stuff - a shame that Taylor's self-effacing to a fault!

In no particular order:

Charles Lloyd - The Water is Wide

Chick Corea - Trio Music

Mal Waldron - Free at Last

Gary Burton - Whiz Kids

Old and New Dreams - Playing

Jack DeJohnette - Special Edition

Pat Metheny - Rejoicing

Gary Peacock - Shift in the Wind

Dave Holland - Conference of the Birds

Keith Jarrett - Complete Standards Trio Catalog

quote:

I think you'd really like the John Taylor CD on mine

I have that, and yes, it's very good. Looking through my ECMs to compile the list, I found one by Arild Andersson which I had forgotten about, so I'll give it another spin.

Nigel

FWIW ( I normally hate lists!)

Trio - Marcin Wasilewski
Charles Lloyd - The Water Is Wide
Tomasz Stanko - Litania
John Taylor - Roslyn
Tomasz Stanko - Leosia
Tord Gustavsen Trio - The Ground
Bobo Stenson Trio - Serenity
Marylin Crispell - Amaryliss
Keith Jarrett - My Song
Enrico Rava - The Pilgrim & The Stars
Miroslav Vitous - Star

See, there's 11, that's why I hate lists

Just a few favorites off the top of my head:

Crystal Silence-Gary Burton/Chick Corea
Belonging-Keith Jarrett Quartet
Bremen/Lausanne Solo Concerts- Keith Jarrett
Paul Bley - Open to Love
Art Lande/Jan Garbarek- Red Lanta PianoImprovisations Vol 1- Chick Corea

Note these are early ECM recordings--In general I find them more interesting than the later releases

Great thread. There are so many outstanding ECM CD's. It is hard to narrow it down to 10 but here goes.

Keith Jarrett - Personal Mountains - just the best thing done by his European Quartet. Hard top believe this was not released for some 10 years as it beats the Nude Ants release by a mile

Peter Erskine - Time Being - with Palle Daniellson and John Taylor

Dave Holland - Extensions - I think this is his best - with Steve Coleman, Marvin Smitty Smith and Kevin Eubanks

Kenny Wheeler - Widow in the Window - such a beautiful mellow CD with John Abercrombie, John Taylor, Pete Erskine and Dave Holland

Keith Jarrett Trio - Whisper Not - with Jack De Johnnette and Gary Peacock. My favourite of the trio series. Recorded after his return from illness, I think this is the best he has done, helped by the fact that I was in the Paris audience that night

Jan Garbarek - I Took Up the Runes - I like this one best as this was my first Garbarek. I especially like the track Buena Hora, Buenos Vientos

Pat Metheny Group - Travels - superb live CD and great to play when travelling. I also love albums Offramp and First Circle but this just, only just tops them

Tomasz Stanko - Lontano - a superb run of CD releases from Stanko. This is a little more abstract than the others, but only a little. The sound quality and atmosphere are outstanding

Rainer Bruninghaus - Friegweht - best known as the keyboard player in Jan Garbarek's band, this is an excellent release in his own right

Wolfert Brederode - Currents - recent release and I think a very enjoyable and excellent effort

This leaves out so many superb CD's from the likes of Ralph Towner, Eberhard Weber, Enrico Rava, Paul Bley, John Abercrombie, Arild Andersen, Tord Gustavsen, Charles Lloyd and many more........

Very strong classical repertoire as well - I particularly like the Beethoven cello sonatas.

Kim Kashkashian's body of work, of which for me the Hindemith sonatas and recent Asturiana are the pick.

In Darkness Let Me Dwell - music by John Dowland.

Too many good discs to call a top 10 really

Agree on the Beethoven Cello sonatas with Schiff/Perengyi(sp)--outstanding!

quote:

Originally posted by Lontano:

Keith Jarrett - Personal Mountains - just the best thing done by his European Quartet. Hard to believe this was not released for some 10 years as it beats the Nude Ants release by a mile.

Wholeheartedly agree on both accounts. It would also lead my list, which isn't strictly the top ten, but just ten of my faves:

1. Personal Mountains - Keith Jarrett
2. Fluid Rustle - Eberhard Weber
3. Bright Size Life - Pat Metheny
4. Open, To Love - Paul Bley
5. Gnu High - Kenny Wheeler
6. Für Alina - Arvo Pärt
7. Music for Eighteen Musicians - Steve Reich
8. Solstice - Ralph Towner
9. Rubisa Patrol - Art Lande
10. Facing You - Keith Jarrett

All best,
Fred