This is the second successive album I’ve had for review this month without liner notes, which will have the sleeve note writers up in arms, if it continues. In this particular case, I feel that an informative liner would have helped understanding of the music.
The album is a comparatively straightforward set, with Garbarek eschewing freakish tonal effects, and getting down to some serious playing. By which I mean, he puts real effort into fashioning his improvisations, rather than taking the easy way out.
Most of the pieces are based on simple phrases or modes rather than complex chord progressions, though none are totally ‘free’ improvisations. The Spanish tinge of Hasta Siempre, by Carlos Puebla, is a particularly attractive, hypnotic theme. The only track I take exception to is Don Cherry’s Desireless, which at over 20 minutes, really is too long. Co-leader and pianist Bobo Stenson plays some fine solos too, and the work of the rhythm section is exemplary. Certainly to be heard by those interested in this kind of thing.
Discography
A.I.R.; Kukka; Hasta Siempre (21 min) – Witchi-Tai-To; Desireless (24½ min)
Jan Garbarek (sop/ten); Bobo Stenson (pno); Palle Danielsson (bs); Jon Christensen (dm). Oslo, Norway 27-28/11/73.
(ECM1041ST £2.99)
