Pianist John Taylor and vocalist Norma Winstone had been playing as a duet for some time when ECM founder Manfred Eicher approached them suggesting they record an album for his label. Eicher also suggested adding Kenny Wheeler to the mix. Taylor and Winstone had already worked and recorded with Wheeler on many occasions and were naturally receptive to this idea, already fully aware of his extraordinary talent and empathetic disposition.
The opener on side one is the hypnotic Siren’s Song, where Taylor’s ascending chordal piano motif is overlaid by Winstone’s wordless vocals and later by Taylor’s single-note flourishes. The lyrical piano intro to O is followed by Winstone’s wistful elegant vocals with Wheeler joining in on the livelier ensemble section with some soaring improvisation by Wheeler and Winstone.
The title track is both the longest composition on the album and its centrepiece. Taylor’s synthesizer, channelling Terry Riley-like ostinato minimalism, acts as a sonic wash over which Winstone’s vocalises, her voice acting as an echo-laden instrument. Wheeler plays crystal-clear, strident notes whilst Winstone provides an ethereal vocal backdrop.
Side two opens with The Tunnel, which features Winstone singing her own lyrics. The song was recently sampled by the megastar rapper/singer Drake on his tune IDGAF from the album For All The Dogs (Ovo, 2023). The short fanfare-like Greek Triangle was written originally as a duet for Wheeler and Henry Lowther but here it is performed by Wheeler multi-tracked, the trumpeter imbuing the track with his typically imaginative flair. On the closer, Jacob, Taylor is heard on piano with Wheeler supplying a graceful melody line harmonised by Winstone who also wrote the lyrics to her vocal part.
This vinyl reissue is one of ECM’s new audiophile Luminessence series, using the original masters and artwork and with new sleeve notes by Steve Lake. It’s a long-awaited treasure, showcasing three of the most significant figures in contemporary jazz. Over the next two decades Azimuth recorded four more records for Eicher’s record company, the series concluding with How It Was Then… Never Again (ECM, 1995). Sadly, Taylor and Wheeler are no longer with us, but their extraordinary, transcendental music will endure for the ages.
Discography
Sirens’ Song; O; Azimuth; The Tunnel; Greek Triangle; Jacob (43.18)
Taylor (p, syn); Winstone (v); Wheeler (t, flh). Oslo, March 1977.
ECM 5880541
