Ecm

Review: The Blue Land is Matthieu Bordenave's follow-up to his ECM trio debut and sees the addition of British drummer James Maddren, enhancing the ensemble's airy textural canvas with a more urgent, animated feel. Pianist Florian Weber's improvisations set the tone, displaying inventive tension and release. Bordenave's saxophone weaves a lyrical narrative, punctuated by bassist Moret and Maddren's perceptively timed contributions. The album strikes a delicate balance between tonal and abstract elements, as heard on the ominous title track and the meditative 'Cyrus.' With nods to Coltrane's 'Compassion"'and Jarrett-like piano, the ensemble delivers an intriguing and collectively expressive set of chamber ensemble pieces.

Review: Old & New Dreams was a jazz group active from 1976 to 1987 - a four-piece bound together by their shared history as sidemen for free jazz pioneer Ornette Coleman. The line-up was Don Cherry on trumpet, Dewey Redman on tenor sax, Charlie Haden on bass and Ed Blackwell on drums, and between them they played renditions of Coleman's compositions as well as writing their own material. Having previously limited the restraints other musicians placed on them in past work, the assembled members of Old & New Dreams celebrated coming together and being able to push themselves further out, and the results on this seminal album speak for themselves. Remastered and reissued with the ever-present attention to detail of an ECM pressing, this is essential listening for anyone serious about jazz of all stripes, free or otherwise.

Review: Azimuth, a collaboration between John Taylor, Norma Winstone, and Kenny Wheeler, presented an enchanting blend of jazz mastery when it was released in 1977 and it still resonates to this day. The album showcases the trio's seamless interplay and innovative approach to improvisation with Taylor's delicate piano, Winstone's ethereal vocals and Wheeler's evocative trumpet creating a mesmerizing tapestry of sound. From the introspective ballads to the spirited compositions, Azimuth captivates with its emotive depth and musical sophistication. This timeless LP remains a testament to the brilliance of three exceptional musicians pushing the boundaries of contemporary jazz.