The Quintessential European Jazz Label - Part 2

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ECM-The Quintessential European Jazz Label. Part 2. String Driven Thing.

Ok I have to admit I’m not that conventional. A bit old fashioned you could say? A bit different, some might say plain weird. When it comes to audio I’m very much “Old School” as my son likes to describe me. Alnico single full range drive units, horn loudspeaker systems, and low power Class A amplifiers (both solid state and supercharged old valve designs) are my thing. But when it comes to music I pride myself on trying to stay a little more current. Up with the kids? Maybe! That’s where my love of the jazz label ECM comes in. Without a regular fix of modern (and older) ECM recordings life would seem dull.

These Are Few Of My Favourite Things (Jazz-Wise)

For this ECM PART 2 I’m going to set out some of my favourite guitarist and string musicians, (but avoiding the double bass players). It’s a real mix of styles and playing techniques. I’ll also be highlighting my personal choice recordings, by these musicians, that appear on the ECM label. I must emphasise this is a personal appreciation and only scratches the surface of the current ECM catalogue which, as I mentioned in my last article, is now enormous (1,700 plus and growing weekly). At home I have literally drawer fulls of ECM CDs (as well as some vinyl) recordings. So to keep some kind of perspective (and I hope keep you reading) I will limit myself to only ten string artists, for now, and that to me feels a very strict short list.

Now I realise not all of you will agree with my choices and apologies if there are any artists and albums you love that I have missed. If that’s the case get in touch and let us know. In making these recommendations I am assuming you have access to a server and a good streaming service. These days it’s the only way I can keep up with the myriad of new releases let alone back catalogues. Who said music was dead! Being a music fan can and is hard work. So in no particular order WE BEGIN (which is by the way a great ECM album by Mark Isham and Art Lande):-

Wolfgang Muthspeil

I’m relatively new to the musical delights of this Austrian guitarist but he is now a firm favourite of mine. In my PART 1 article, I mentioned the fabulous Dance of the Elders. Please also have a listen to the equally excellent Angular Blues. Another great recording. Wolfgang’s mastery of the guitar is superb. I’d love to hear him live.

Dominic Miller

Another great guitarist who I discovered a few years ago. He has collaborated with Sting on many recordings and has a lovely approachable and lyrical style of playing. Three albums to check out are Silent Light, Absinthe and Vagabond. They are such high quality recordings and I don’t understand why you don’t hear them played at Hi Fi shows. I use his music when testing any new equipment that comes my way. It’s tells you a lot about how it’s performing.

Anouar Brahem

This brilliant Tunisian oud player and composer is a master of his traditional instrument. He has made so many great recordings for ECM it’s difficult to choose. He is due to play the London Jazz Festival this year (2026). Hope to see you there. My personal choice recordings are Astrakan Cafe (check out the two contrasting versions of the title track), The Amazing Eyes of Rita, and Le pas du Chat Noir (very popular with Peanut our cat). So romantic is this last recording that my wife and I chose one of its tracks “C’est ailleures” for our wedding. The whole album has a magical Parisian feel. Enough said!

Ralph Towner

An ECM institution. Sadly died this year aged 85. The Obituary by John Fordham in the Guardian is well worth reading. He described himself amongst other things as a “raconteur of the abstract”. A multi instrumentalist and founding member of jazz super group Oregon. Lyricism was in his bones. So many fabulous albums. I’ll deliberately limit myself to four recommendations. Five Years Later is a collaboration with another ECM super guitarist John Abercrombie. Great to hear two master musicians gently sparring but in great musical harmony at the same time. Likewise Travel Guide is a beautiful sublime collaboration with Wolfgang Muthspeil recorded in 2013. I’ve only recently discovered it. Such is the size of the ECM catalogue, Next is his last solo album At First Light (have a listen to the track Ubi Sunt - pure magic) and my all time personal Towner favourite Blue Sun from 1982. A desert island disc for me. I can never listen to his music without being overwhelmed by emotion. He is that good! If there’s a heaven Ralph will be the guitarist in the jazz band.

Pat Metheny

Pat got so famous and popular he eventually left ECM for bigger things. Such is his enormous talent. If you have, but probably very unlikely, never heard Metheny be prepared to be amazed. As brilliant live as he is on record . he is one of ECM’s super artists along with Keith Jarrett and Jan Garbarek. He has recorded a lot of great albums on ECM. Too many to catalogue so I’ll pick just two which have a personal meaning to me. Firstly the 1981 As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls was a collaboration with his friend jazz pianist Lyle Mays. It features super percussionist Nana Vasconcelos. A huge laid back sound was created which, even to this day, never ceases to amaze me. The following year Offramp appeared. This was an album which saw Metheny using a guitar synthesiser for the first time to fabulous effect. Another desert island disc for me.

John Ambercrombie

Along with Ralph Towner a stalwart of the ECM guitarists. Another super talented player who attracts great collaborators to his recordings. As before so much choice so I’ll stick to a couple of personal favourites. Current Events sees Abercrombie supported by Marc Johnson on bass and Pete Erskine on drums. Whilst Gateway In The Moment features Dave Holland on double bass and Jack DeJohnette on drums (and Korg wave drum). These particular line ups have featured many times on recordings, by Abercrombie, and they highlight the reoccurring relationships these talented musicians have towards each other on the ECM label. Also a mention should be made of the superb production values of head honcho Manfred Eicher. If you only check out one track give Clint on Current Events a try. A personal favourite and a musical homage to Clint Eastwood.

John Scofield

Another American heavyweight jazz guitarist who, like Metheny, has graced the ECM label for years. He featured for decades as a sideman to the likes of bass player Marc Johnson and drummer Jack DeJohnette. Check out his collaboration album Swallow Tales made with mentor and friend Steve Swallow. The albums made with Marc Johnson are to be commended and I would particularly single out Bass Desires (1985) and Second Sight (1987). Great music if you like a slight rock vibe to your jazz. Talking of which…….

Terje Rypdal

A Norwegian axeman extraordinaire. With a playing style that one minute is oh so quiet and lyrical and the next resembles a Viking berserker. My exposure to this phenomenon of a player (and composer) came with The Singles Collection and in particular the excellently named rocking track There Is a Hot Lady in My Bedroom and I Need a Drink! (Those were the days……). It’s a four track album of such contrasts. To balance this you need to listen to something a little more recent like Conspiracy - a lovely recording from 2020. Also please check out his collaborations with the likes of Miroslav Vitous and Jack DeJohnette. Their 1979 album is a very good one.

Bill Frisell

A Guitarist of great style and atmosphere. During the 70s and 80s he often appeared as a sideman to other artists. Remembered also as a great sideman addition to the fantastic Kenny Wheelers album Angel Song (1997). Other albums to listen to are Rambler and, my favourite, Lookout For Hope which is a splendid introduction to his stylish guitar playing. Bill remains very active to this day with many recent releases but alas not all on ECM. Finally and for something completely different…….

David Torn

Guitarist, mix man, composer and “King of the Loops”. A very talented individual whose relationship with ECM goes back a long way. He is someone I’ve admired since my exposure to his legendary record Cloud About Mercury. This featured excellent trumpeter Mark Isham as well as King Crimson’s bassist Tony Levin and drummer Bill Bruford. This album is a must for those who like their music edgy, atmospheric as well as beautifully ambient. Torn also featured on Jan Garbarek’s seminal album It’s Ok to Listen to the Grey Voices. Because he knows his way round a recording studio he is someone Manfred Eicher has sought out, on many occasions, and that has to be a compliment.

Next Time On ECM The Quintessential European Jazz Label

“The Bass Men Cometh”…………

Thanks for reading this far. I hope you found it enlightening. I have sought to give you a taste of the musical styles of a few guitarist that do and have recorded on ECM. I know our proprietor and host Lowther’s Peter Snell is pleased for me to continue this saga. I can only hope it encourages you to explore the wonderful catalogue of ECM. Finally if you come across a recording that touches your soul, please do buy a hard copy. Either CD or better still vinyl. This all helps to keep these talented artists going as well as making Manfred and ECM happy bunnies. Your feedback is always welcome (just reply to this email)

Keep listening

Mike Blackmore