JAN GARBAREK QUARTET + BOBO STENSON – Sart (LP-1971)

Label: ECM Records – ECM 1015 ST

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album / Country: Germany / Released: 1971

Style: Free Jazz

Recorded on April 14 and 15, 1971, at the Arne Bendiksen Studio, Oslo.

Design [Cover Design] – B. & B. Wojirsch

Engineer – Jan-Erik Kongshaug

Photography By [Back Cover] – Björn A. Fossum

Producer – Manfred Eicher

A1 - Sart .......................................................................... 14:54

A2 - Fountain Of Tears - Part I and II ............................... 6:02

B1 - Song Of Space .......................................................... 9:38

B2 - Close Enough For Jazz ............................................. 1:57

B3 - Irr ............................................................................... 7:14

B4 - Lontano ..................................................................... 2:10

Jan Garbarek – tenor saxophone, bass saxophone

Terje Rypdal – guitar

Bobo Stenson – piano, electric piano

Arild Andersen – double bass

Jon Christensen – drums, percussion

Comparing with previous album "Afric Pepperbird", "Sart" is not so explosive and sharp, but more mature.

Garbarek's second album for ECM found him conducting further explorations in two separate directions. On the one hand, his playing and, to some extent, his composing were becoming increasingly avant-garde, a path which would culminate in the ensuing Tryptikon disc. His stark cries clearly owed something to the then burgeoning AACM movement as well as to European musicians like Peter Brotzmann. At the same time, pieces like the title track here nodded toward the contemporary jazz-rock experiments of Miles Davis. "Sart"'s descending five-note theme and the space it leaves in its wake are reminiscent of one of Davis' approaches on records like Bitches Brew. Garbarek utilizes this structure to good dramatic effect, generating mini-climax after mini-climax, only to recede at the end. This was also the first collaboration with pianist Bobo Stenson who would become a regular associate of Garbarek's in upcoming years. His presence fills out the group sound quite nicely and serves as an agreeable counterpoint to Rypdal's playing, which, at this point, was still experimental and imaginative. Rypdal's atmospheric "Lontano," which closes the album, is a fine, brooding piece and one of the disc's highlights. A strong recording and, along with all of the other early ECM Garbarek releases, recommended for fans who came upon him much later in his career.

If you find it, buy this album!