George Russell - The Esoteric Circle

2014 European CD reissue.

Digitally re-mastered edition. This is a rare gem of late '60 s European Jazz, often presented as the debut album of saxophonist Jan Garbarek, but is much more than that. It includes work of the finest Nordic musicians, who came to define a certain Jazz sensibility. Composer George Russell spent several years in Europe in the late '60 s, recording two albums of his own work. For these he utilized the cream of Scandinavian Jazz talent.

The Esoteric Circle was formed from this group: Garbarek, Terje Rypdal, Arild Andersen and Jon Christensen who, over the next 10 years helped to create the core sound of ECM Records. Jan Garbarek became the most celebrated and commercially successful players of his generation. This recording was made at an early stage of their development. There is a touch of Coltrane and Ayler in Garbarek's playing. Rypdal is stunning, using both clever runs and ambient noise to sustain a sonic attack. All four demonstrate an understanding and musicality which makes this one of the finest European albums of the period.