+ new album coming soon ++
Yuval Cohen's new quartet album 'Winter Poems' will be released on 14 February on CD & digital.
Pre-order now and listen to the track 'For Charlie here: https://ECM.lnk.to/WinterPoemsFP
Rainer Brüninghaus – Freigeweht – is now available as part of the LUMINESSENCE vinyl series: https://ECM.lnk.to/Freigeweht_LP
Released in 1981, the debut of the legendary keyboardist from Eberhard Weber’s Colours band and later the Jan Garbarek Group, Freigeweht presented Rainer Brüninghaus as a highly original and idiosyncratic sound sculptor in his own right, accompanied by ECM stalwarts Kenny Wheeler on flugelhorn and drummer Jon Christensen as well as oboist Brynjar Hoff. In a review of the album from the year of its release, the German daily Frankfurter vs Allgemeine Zeitung traced Rainer’s influences and minimalist designs back to Steve Reich, calling Brüninghaus “the most imaginative musician to employ minimal art in the realm of jazz. (…) Though he neither uses minimal art as ideology nor as replacement for a rhythm section, but in a more playfully constructive way, as an element that can undergo change.” Jon Christensen adds uncompromising propulsion to Brüninghaus’s lyrical themes, which are evocatively fleshed out by Wheeler and Hoff’s contemplative tones. (The Luminessence edition of Freigewehtarrives in a tip-on gatefold accompanied by new liner notes)
I’ll often work on a sound for hours until I am convinced that all irritating elements have been expelled from it and that it really gels with the underlying musical idea I have in mind. I don’t enjoyone-dimensional sounds — they have to be composite, complex sounds that add up to a harmonious whole. The more complex the technical means available became, the more interesting electronics became for me.
Rainer Brüninghaus (from the liner notes of the Luminessence edition)
++ New Vinyl Release ++
On Friday, Rainer Brüninghaus’s “Freigeweht” will be released as part of the LUMINESSENCE vinyl series: https://ECM.lnk.to/Freigeweht_LP
Released in 1981, the debut of the legendary keyboardist from Eberhard Weber’s Colours band and later the Jan Garbarek Group, Freigeweht presented Rainer Brüninghaus as a highly original and idiosyncratic sound sculptor in his own right, accompanied by ECM stalwarts Kenny Wheeler on flugelhorn and drummer Jon Christensen as well as oboist Brynjar Hoff. In a review of the album from the year of its release, the German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung traced Rainer’s influences and minimalist designs back to Steve Reich, calling Brüninghaus “the most imaginative musician to employ minimal art in the realm of jazz. (…) Though he neither uses minimal art as ideology nor as replacement for a rhythm section, but in a more playfully constructive way, as an element that can undergo change.” Jon Christensen adds uncompromising propulsion to Brüninghaus’s lyrical themes, which are evocatively fleshed out by Wheeler and Hoff’s contemplative tones. (The Luminessence edition of Freigeweht arrives in a tip-on gatefold accompanied by new liner notes)
++ new album coming soon ++
Mathias Eick: Lullaby, out on 14 February 2025 on CD, Vinyl& digital.
Pre-order now and listen to the track ‚May‘.
https://ecm.lnk.to/LullabyIB
For „Lullaby“, Norwegian trumpeter Mathias Eick draws on the quartet formation in a programme that includes some of his most exploratory and improvisatory qualities, with acast of ECM familiars Kristjan Randalu and Ole Morten Vågan on piano and bass, and new arrival Hans Hulbækmo on drums. There’s a sense of abandon within these melodic songs, as the musicians flow smoothly between harmonies, collectively building momentum from within the forms. Eick’s immediately recognizable and soothing tone is often confronted by Randalu’s in turns lyrical and energetic keyboard-flights, soaring above a propulsive, always engaging rhythm section. The album was recorded at Rainbow Studio in Oslo.
++ new album coming soon ++
Anouar Brahem: After The Last Sky, with Anja Lechner Cello, Dave Holland and Django Bates, will be released on 07 March 2025 on CD, LP & digital.
Pre-order now and listen to the title track here: https://ecm.lnk.to/AfterTheLastSky
Eight years after Blue Maqams, Anouar Brahem returns with a poignant project, titled after a line of verse by poet Mahmoud Darwish, which asks “Where should the birds fly, after the last sky?” Graceful chamber pieces for oud, cello, piano and bass subtly address the metaphysical question and its broad resonances in a troubled time. While drawing upon the traditional modes of Arab music, Brahem has consistently sought to engage with the wider world, too, and found inspiration in many sources from different cultures. Bassist Dave Holland and pianist Django Bates are again part of the Tunisian oud master’s international quartet, joined now by cellist Anja Lechner. Brahem’s rapport with Holland – first established on the Thimar album of 1998 – is meanwhile legendary. “Dave’s playing gives me wings,” Anouar has said, an observation that materializes repeatedly across the record. Django Bates’ piano, an important supportive force throughout, contributes swirling solos. The album marks the first time that Anouar has included a cellist in his group music. Anja Lechner, a leading voice in the recording, has long been conversant with Brahem’s compositions and included them in her own recitals. The cello is given the first and last statements here. After the Last Sky was recorded at Lugano’s Auditorio Stelio Molo RSI in May 2024, and produced by Manfred Eicher. The album is issued as the Brahem quartet embarks on a European tour with concerts in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Belgium.
++ new release ++
Benjamin Lackner: 'Spindrift' with Mathias Eick, Mark Turner, Linda May Han Oh and Matthieu Chazarenc is now available:
https://ecm.lnk.to/Spindrift
++ new album coming soon ++
Pianist François Couturier and violinist Dominique Pifarély’s new album Preludes and Songs is out on 24 January. Check out the EPK video.
François and Dominique, two major figures in French improvisation, have played together in many projects over the last 30 years, including their duo, which made its recording debut for ECM with the remarkable Poros in 1997. Preludes and Songs carries the story forward, with its programme including music by both players as well as pieces by Jacques Brel, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin and J.J. Johnson. With sensibilities informed by jazz and contemporary composition, Couturier and Pifarély channel the wide-ranging repertoire into compelling, starkly expressive music. Preludes and Songs was recorded in the exceptional acoustics of Reitstadel Neumarkt, in October 2023, and produced by Manfred Eicher.
+ new album coming soon ++
Yuval Cohen's new quartet album 'Winter Poems' will be released on 14 February on CD & digital.
Pre-order now and listen to the track ‚Song for Lo Am‘ here: https://ECM.lnk.to/WinterPoemsFP
Soprano saxophonist Yuval Cohen’s debut for ECM is a thrilling offering that captures the brother of long-time ECM traveller Avishai Cohen charting innovative paths through eight originals in graceful interplay with his freshly formed quartet. Pianist Tom Oren, bassist Alon Near and Alon Benjamini on drums are longtime acquaintances of Yuval’s who are not only outstanding instrumentalists in their own right, but share a deep, intuitive understanding for the leader’s musical language and improvisational approach. “I’m very fortunate to be able to play with these young guys,” says Yuval. “I’ve known them for a long time – they’re three beautiful souls and talents with whom I had a great time shaping this music together.” Throughout the album, the saxophonist demonstrates his own understanding of chamber jazz dynamics and explores a broad range of influences – from folk idioms to motif development borrowed from classical music – to lyrical and contemplative, but also energetic and uplifting results.
++ new album coming soon ++
Julia Hülsmann Quartet: Under the Surface, out on 31 January 2025 on CD, Vinyl & digital.
Pre-order now and listen to the track ‚The Earth Below‘ here: https://ecm.lnk.to/UnderTheSurface
Julia Hülsmann’s quartet resurfaces with a fresh Norwegian voice on horn in tow and presents an attractive batch of originals that finds the group thoughtfully exploring common ground with a knack for adventure. As on past outings, each quartet member contributes music to the session, the leader herself being responsible for half the programme. Saxophonist Uli Kempendorff’s introduction to Julia’s trio on 2019’s Not Far From Here already brought a new dimension to the group’s interplay – this sense is again amplified and expanded upon through the addition of Norwegian trumpeter Hildegunn Øiseth, who joins the quartet on trumpet and the supply articulating goat horn for five cuts. Spellbinding lyricism and playful rhythmic and melodic interaction conspire throughout Under The Surface – a gem in Julia Hülsmann’s increasingly impressive ECM-oeuvre.
++ new album coming soon ++
François Couturier / Dominique Pifarély: Preludes andS ongs will be released on 24 January 2025 on CD & digital.
Pre-order now and listen to the track 'What Us' here:
https://ecm.lnk.to/PreludesAndSongs
Pianist François Couturier and violinist Dominique Pifarély, major figures in French improvisation, have played together in many projects over the last 30 years, including their duo, which made its recording debut for ECM with the remarkable Poros in 1997. 'Preludes and Songs', carries the story forward, with its programme including music by both players as well as pieces by Jacques Brel, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin and J.J. Johnson. With sensibilities informed by jazz and contemporary composition, Couturier and Pifarély channel the wide-ranging repertoire into compelling, starkly expressive music.
++ new album coming soon ++
Benjamin Lackner: 'Spindrift' with Mathias Eick - Official, Mark Turner Jazz, Linda May Han Oh and Matthieu Chazarenc will be released on 17 January 2025 on CD, LP & digital.
Pre-order now and listen to the track 'More Mesa' from the album:
https://ecm.lnk.to/Spindrift
Back with a newly formed quintet, gathered together for a particularly fruitful 2024 session in Southern France, the German-American pianist Benjamin Lackner presents a different and exciting side of his composer-approach. Trumpeter Mathias Eick is the sole returnee from Lackner’s debut Last Decade, and can be heard in striking dualism with Mark Turner’s idiosyncratic saxophone dialect, forming a key-characteristic of the interplay that permeates 'Spindrift'. The horn-duo and pianist are joined by the nonpareil bassist Linda May Han Oh and French drummer Matthieu Chazarenc, who was part of Lackner’s trio before the pianist’s tenure with ECM. Subtle fanfares meet contemplative lyricism in a programme of originals that always puts melody and ensemble chemistry first. Saxophone and trumpet take the lead, forming their own little ensemble section,and contribute elegantly interwoven lines and striking solos to an especially harmonious group sound and a tuneful set of songs.
