snobb
Jan Garbarek's fourth solo album (and third on ECM label). After two quartet releases, and one quintet (same Garbarek's quartet plus Bobo Stenton on keyboards) and two quite free ECM albums, Garbarek changed his band's format to trio. Guitarist Terje Rypdal is gone and Finnish drummer Edward Vesala came instead of Jon Christensen.
As a result of personal and band format's changes, this album's music is quite different. Less-orchestrated, almost minimalist trio music with dominating Garbarek's continued techniques reeds soloing (including flute besides of his more casual saxophones) is radical change from his earlier more collaborative and well-balanced works.
On Triptykon, here is quite bare-naked early free jazz (Ayler influences) and quite new for the time of recording Nordic folk elements. Later will become dominating source of inspiration for Garbarek for years ahead and will leave their significant traces on all ECM future catalog.
Triptykon still evidences very successful and creative example of this new for the time European jazz, much different from upcoming ambient/new age muzak of upcoming years.
One of the best Garbarek's album (besides of Afric Pepperbird) ever.