ECM

British vocalist Norma Winstone received her popularity singing with early English avant-garde jazz acts in 70s (she was named best jazz singer in UK by Melody Maker in 1971). Her new album for ECM is characteristic British folk-jazz, her singing is supported by Italian pianist Glauco Venier and German reedist Klaus Gesing (her regular collaborators for years). Minimalist,tasteful and moody music, and very British.

Edited by snobb - 12 Feb 2014 at 2:36pm

Swiss pianist Colin Vallon second album on ECM (and fourth work released during decade he's active). Characteristic European chamber jazz, still unusually warm for ECM Oslo studio recordings. Together with basist Patrice Moret Vallon are part of Albanian singer Elina Duni band (as well ECM artist)

Edited by snobb - 11 Mar 2014 at 2:59am

snobb wrote: Swiss pianist Colin Vallon second album on ECM (and fourth work released during decade he's active). Characteristic European chamber jazz, still unusually warm for ECM Oslo studio recordings. Together with basist Patrice Moret Vallon are part of Albanian singer Elina Duni band (as well ECM artist)    listen here: http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/mp3/colin-vallon-trio/4317

Polish Simple Acoustic Trio started playing refined European post bop two decades ago and after glorious days on domestic market in 2004 signed contract with ECM becaming Marcin Wasilewski Trio (and adapting their sound for ECM standard). After 3 ECM albums they co-operates here on new ECM album with two Norwegians - Jim Hall and John Abercrombie former student guitarist Jacob Young and sax player Trygve Seim.

Edited by snobb - 27 Sep 2014 at 3:03pm

Austrian acoustic guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel is playing around his home country and Central Europe for years, last year he debuted on ECM as collaborator playing with Ralph Towner. "Driftwood" is Wolfgang label debut album,acoustic  trio with bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Brian Blade.Obviously influenced by Towner's music, Wolfgang plays aerial down-tempo dreamy music, often lyrical,in moments warm and with feel-able European chamber tradition. It sounds quite nice, but are not enough essential and somewhere in the middle of the album the listener feels like he listens same long song,not beautiful enough to continue such a long time.

Edited by snobb - 17 Jun 2014 at 9:08am

Clarinetist Louis Sclavis is  ECM label's "French voice". His tenth album on this label is tuneful,deeply rooted in European chamber music,almost melancholic in places and warm uncharacteristically for ECM recordings (recorded in French renowned Studio La Buissonne near Avignon). Main surprise here is addition of Iranian classical percussionist Kevyan Chemirani to Clavis regular band. Central Asian classic tradition surprisingly well fits to advanced European chamber jazz, resulting music doesn't become variation of world fusion but represents something what could be tagged as "Eurasian chamber jazz". One among ECM most interesting this year's releases

Edited by snobb - 29 May 2015 at 3:30am

Cuban pianist and current Tomasz Stanko New York Quartet member David Virelles third album (and his debut on ECM) is both  some fresh air in refreshing label program and step forward in artist career. Non-orthodox  quintet (David's piano is supported by two acoustic bassists and two percussionists) demonstrate excellent example of "new Latin" jazz - still based on emotionally colored tunes and musicianship more than on virtuosity, this music is heavily influenced by ECM-type clear chamber sound and quite free,in moments on dissonant border,improvisations more usual for adventurous avant-garde musicians.The result is great - what looks like mish-mash on paper, in a form of real music sounds as very interesting new sound, giving to Latin jazz tradition a new life.

Hey Matt, it's nice to hear from you again. I see you're on Tomasz Stanko herd 

I see there is current ECM star sax player Mark Turner playing on Harrell's Trip . His new album is quite nice (ECM release, just few steps above). BTW he played here in my hometown last Friday, didn't see him though

Another related new ECM release is this year's Jacob Young album, where Marcin Trio plays in whole on support.It looks they are on the top of the wave now