The ECM Years

By Matthias Kirsch's
I guess most of you have their own individual Köln Concert experience. The groundbreaking, milestone Keith Jarrett album from 1975 is part of the vast ECM Records catalogue which celebrates its 40th anniversary. The Munich based label was founded by Manfred Eicher who up to this day produces every release. One of the new recordings is a very deep, solo piano live recording from Mr. Jarrett which was recorded at the end of last year in London and Paris. Jarrett will perform next Monday here in Berlin in a very rare solo concert at the Berlin Philharmonic Hall.

My first encounter with this classic label was in 1982 when I came across a Chick Corea LP where he played the music of Thelonious Monk. Soon after, I discovered his hauntingly beautiful Children's Songs, Gary Burton's chamber-like suites, Don Cherry's wierd excursions into World music and of course Pat Metheny.

His album Offramp from 1981 features two of the most breathtaking pieces of music ever recorded: Are You Going With Me and his masterpiece Au Lait, recorded with his longtime cohort Lyle Mays. Also not forgotton the predecessor to that album, 1980's As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls. The list goes on and on. Among the current recordings on our playlist are new records from John Abercrombie and the Stefano Bollani Trio.
So congratulations Manfred Eicher and here's to the next 40 years of ECM.
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