Manfred Eicher
Bassist Mats Eilertsen Crosses the 'Rubicon' on ECM Records Debut as Leader [REVIEW]
Enter the Weird World of the Dominique Pifarely Quartet's 'Trace Provisoire' on ECM [REVIEW]
Somewhere deep in the south of France last summer, French violinist Dominique Pifarely convened with legendary ECM guru Manfred Eicher to make his music more jazz-like. Combining Antonin Rayon's piano, Bruno Chevillon's double-bass and the scattershot drumming of the ingenious Francois Merville, 'Trace Provisoire' was born, the jazz was added, but the esoteric classical refrains lingered on. Trumpeter Ralph Alessi has a Distinct 'Quiver' on New ECM Records Release [REVIEW]
In 2013, Ralph Alessi's ECM debut as a leader, 'Baida,' gave Wayne Shorter's 'Without A Net' a run for its money as best of the year. The trumpeter has followed up 'Baida' with 'Quiver.' Gary Versace replaces Jason Moran on piano. The rhythm section of double bassist Drew Gress and drummer Nasheet Waits stays the same. But 'Quiver' ain't Baida. It's too gloomy.