Late to the party here, but spot on review. I have just sorted all my ECM records into a shelf of their own along with some "other" Norwegian jazz and blues records. I consider ECM an almost Norwegian label since so much of it was recorded by the great Jan Erik Kongshaug in his studios, and as you mentioned many Norwegian artists recorded and records with ECM. And I really love the sensitive drumming of Jon Christensen, also a fellow Norwegian. I was happy to see I have most of those you showed, but thanks for inspiration to gather a few more missing from my collection and to re-listen to some, will dive first into Return to Forever and Miroslav Vitus. Enrico Rava is anonther one worth diving into, perhaps not alway recorded on ECM, the "Rava l'Opera va" is great, and also lead me into discovering other great Italian jazz artists. Another one that could have made your list is perhaps Arild Andersen, bass player. Has recorded a lot for ECM over the years, alway great music from him and his fellow musicians.
Great video Ken. I used to have a number of the Ralph Towner albums - he was instrumental in getting me to move from rock to jazz (I still love rock music, but at my age I am growing a bit more impatient with respect to it). One other album that was fundamental for me - and I have a reissue on vinyl - is Keith Jarret’s Survivors’ Suite. The first ten minutes in particular are so hauntingly beautiful. Enjoy your videos, keep it up.
Ken, I received an email today from ECM advertising their Touchstones reissues. I was considering ordering some LPs from ECM (Germany). Thanks for the informative video confirming the quality of ECM.
Hey Ken! Thanks for a brilliant channel, which I just discovered. Glad you put the light on ECM. Here are some other albums that definitely deserve attention: Jarrett / Garbarek - Belonging and My Song, Jarret - The Köln Concert, Masqualere - Aero and Re-Enter, Tord Gustavsen trio - The Other Side, Nils Petter Molvær - Khmer, Pat Metheny - Bright Size Life, Dino Saluzzi Group - Mojotoro, Norma Winstone - Distances. Many of these recordings with the late Jan Erik Kongshaug as engineer. Recordings with Kongshaug always sound good!
Thank you for the subject matter of ECM records. I have about twenty or so records made by them and the sound quality always seems good to me. on my mid=fi system.
that Timeless LP is the one that hooked me, it was the first one I ever bought, and now I have 100's of ECM's, always buy when I see them. peace, Chris.
Totally agree with you about the great artists on ECM. It is unfortunate that so much of their catalog is only on CD. I'm a big Metheny fan and so much of his work isn't on vinyl. If it's only on CD, I'll just stream it (if available). On a different note, I really enjoyed your interview with Branford Marsalis in "Sterophile". My only complaint was that it was a little short. Tell those folks over at "Stereophile" to fork over some more real-estate next time. /s Great videos, cheers!
Great video Ken, many thanks for sharing. Huge fan of ECM. In case you haven't had a chance yet, would highly recommend Anouar Brahem (Thimar, Blue Maqams), Jan Garbarek's Offcium (nothing like other Jan albums. Follow up is Officium Novum and another with same choir titled Mnemosyne. Also Andy Sheppard Movements in Colour etc. Enjoy and thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Thanks for this! I'm considering going back to my ECM honeyhole with all the Japanese Trio pressings (and promos)... Now I have a couple more to look for!
@@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455 I have Japanese PROMO copies that I believe came out of Trio's own archives. I should have gotten more than I did but I have limited storage atm. I'll probably try to go back, but it's been a few months and they may be gone now.
Nice! Terje Rypdal! I think I have a few of those other ECM records as well. I'd like to know your thoughts on the Catalyst Records Label. I have an Ahmad Jamal and George Muribus album on that label. Those two sound pretty good.
JAPO stands for JAzz POst, which started by artists sending in their cassettes and tapes through postal to evaluate by ECM. Eventually JAPO became sort of parrallel label. JAPO did not started or originated ECM label, it came later. German copies were pressed by Deutsche Grammophone, the famous 'DG' Classical label, which owned one of the highest quality pressing machines in EU. Great channel, keep posted!
The Ralph Towner Solstice is an amazing album. Got that one from Teddy as VCLT. After hearing it I grabbed Batik from ‘78 at my local. Another all out masterpiece in my opinion. ECM still doing things right too. The Vijay Iyer offerings are some of the best of modern jazz I dare say.
If I see Kongshaug as engineer, I know it would sound great.. DeJohnette is one of my faves, as well ad Frisell.. Interesting plinth for the TD-124 btw. What arm do you use? Looks like there’s a new Kuzma on the floor too.
Chick Corea Return to forever, is my first jazz-album (apart from a couple of Miles Davis). It is so freaking good! Hooked, gives me great pleasure. Looking to get some more in the same vein.
I went ECM-shopping the other day and found several, BUT...they were ECM-Warner Bros. titles. The labels had the plump letters instead of the thin ones and they were pressed in the US I believe. I didn't even know this was a thing until I examined them. What do you know about these?
I started grabbing ECMs after watching your previous video on them. I went through the entire jazz section of my vintage store, grabbing every single one (in the best condition), most of them for $4-8. It took about 3 days but I cleaned them out. Only a handful were German presses, but even the US ones were mostly in mint condition. The store has since wised up & new arrivals are in the $10 range but I cleared out about 70 albums in total, most of them Keith Jarrett, John Abercrombie, Pat Methany, and Jan Gabarak.
Hey Ken. Great video. Unrelated question -- as a jazz fan and expert what do you think Oscar Peterson? I've been listening to him a lot at work because the tunes songs are familiar (American standards) and it's easy but could see how he might not be appreciated (or I could be totally wrong). Just curious to get your thoughts. Thanks!
Mike, funny you should ask! I used to turn down y nose at OP, he seemed too "white" or simply all flash. But this past weekend I listened to about 10 of his Verve releases, brilliant! Swings his ass off, beautiful phrasing, simply effortless. I think his older Pablo work is not as good. Have you seen the youtube clip where he is explaining jazz style to someone via the piano>? Pure magic. Thanks for the question
Ecm is a 3 man business, with Eicher having full creative control alone. And my understanding is that he is really focused with releasing as much as possible of new music, both digitally and alot of it on Vinyl. That said though, they just now started a reissue run of 25 iirc staples from their older catalogue. But yea, Eicher is getting older and afaik he has not been working with anyone to carry on the label, so who knows what will happen when he is gone. Also, you should check out more of Arve Henriksen outside ECM. In Norway he releases on the label Rune Gramofon and his newer stuff is really good.
@@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455 That's true, only previous reissue I am aware of was the touchstone series a while back and that was more like an introductory series for newcomers just discovering the label.
I think I have about 3 ECM-label albums, but I can't be sure. I'll have to re-check my collection. Could you do a Dixieland Jazz video? I've always liked it, but now that I'm collecting, I dunno where to start with albums or artists (besides Al Hirt) and I'd like an expert opinion.
Ken, New to your channel and have enjoyed your commentary. Been collecting jazz for awhile but getting more serious about the history of the musician's and there works and progressions. That being said have you any thoughts on the "Pablo" label? I seem to find a lot of interesting music and pairings on that label. I have also requested to join your FB group, still waiting on approval.
I certainly can't disagree with any of those. I'd throw in John Abercombie's Characters, which I prefer over his first album, also Gateway with Towner.
Hi Ken, I think we have a similar taste in music. The JAPO stuff is great. I have most of Dejohnette on ECM but I'm missing a couple. Also the band Circle with Corea, Braxton and one of my favorite drummerd Barry Altschul. That yellow double album is wonderful. I've never seen that Bill Frisell LP before I will have to look it up. Do you remember Mark Johnsons band Bass Desires that was on ECM? I loved that when it came out around early mid 80s. I really enjoying your videos. It was fun seeing you in Steves video also. Take care, Charles
@@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455 Yep, I don't see them like I used to. I don't think I paid more than 5 for a used copy of DeJohnette on ECM. I did see a couple recently I think they were maybe $12. I'm glad you say the prices for the stuff you get. I'm always interested in that. Take Care, Charles
Great video Ken. New camera? Sound and pictures is very clear. Inspires me to get out some of my ECM's Don't think Ive ever seen that Enrico Rava lp. Do you upgrade your Kuzma?
Daniel Patterson Yes new camera new microphone whole new set up. I think I’m selling my Kuzma pipe bomb to get the new stabi R. I reviewed it for stereo file.
Great looking R deck. I'd like to do that as well. But Ive recently got me the Stabi. Need to get some more miles before upgrading. Good luck bet its a sweet table
Ruta was a shocker, I'm not surprised one sees it in the dollar bins so often these days. ECM is fascinating, may have 50% of the best Jazz Lp's ever made, yet 1/20 of their releases were very poor. To be Continued is lovely, sadly relatively unknown. Timeless used to be seen as one of the poorest of the early offerings.
@@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455 Many are, and it's my favourite label by a long stretch. The trick with ECM is to avoid Lp's with Corea or Abercrombie on. Souless, twiddly, cerebral soundscapers.
I actually saw many of these players live (like Enrique Rava, deJohnette, the late and wonderful Abercrombie for example) . Conveniently many ECM artists come yearly for a festival 150 km ish from where i live. I hadn't started yet to collect (vinyl) records yet (i should't even be allowed to see your vids here, right ? ;) ). I did drooled over most of what you shown there (Ryptaal & deJohnette & Vitous on the same record? I didn't know such a thing existed). Surely being able to buy them would go a long way to making me switch to analog..
@@jazzman642 I like electric bass on funk records but usually in jazz it's a poor substitute. The style of the 70's to present was heavily influenced by Tony Williams and Jack DeJohnette style drumming which only adds to the fusion/post bop/impressionistic edge to it. I don't really feel that style as to me it has more in common with prog rock noodling.
New to ecm! Thank you so much for the great suggestions/descriptions!
Late to the party here, but spot on review. I have just sorted all my ECM records into a shelf of their own along with some "other" Norwegian jazz and blues records. I consider ECM an almost Norwegian label since so much of it was recorded by the great Jan Erik Kongshaug in his studios, and as you mentioned many Norwegian artists recorded and records with ECM. And I really love the sensitive drumming of Jon Christensen, also a fellow Norwegian. I was happy to see I have most of those you showed, but thanks for inspiration to gather a few more missing from my collection and to re-listen to some, will dive first into Return to Forever and Miroslav Vitus. Enrico Rava is anonther one worth diving into, perhaps not alway recorded on ECM, the "Rava l'Opera va" is great, and also lead me into discovering other great Italian jazz artists. Another one that could have made your list is perhaps Arild Andersen, bass player. Has recorded a lot for ECM over the years, alway great music from him and his fellow musicians.
Great video Ken. I used to have a number of the Ralph Towner albums - he was instrumental in getting me to move from rock to jazz (I still love rock music, but at my age I am growing a bit more impatient with respect to it). One other album that was fundamental for me - and I have a reissue on vinyl - is Keith Jarret’s Survivors’ Suite. The first ten minutes in particular are so hauntingly beautiful. Enjoy your videos, keep it up.
Thank you. What I find fascinating as I get older are the Beat Club rock videos on youtube. What an amazing show that was
Ken, I received an email today from ECM advertising their Touchstones reissues. I was considering ordering some LPs from ECM (Germany). Thanks for the informative video confirming the quality of ECM.
Hey Ken!
Thanks for a brilliant channel, which I just discovered.
Glad you put the light on ECM. Here are some other albums that definitely deserve attention:
Jarrett / Garbarek - Belonging and My Song, Jarret - The Köln Concert, Masqualere - Aero and Re-Enter, Tord Gustavsen trio - The Other Side, Nils Petter Molvær - Khmer, Pat Metheny - Bright Size Life, Dino Saluzzi Group - Mojotoro, Norma Winstone - Distances. Many of these recordings with the late Jan Erik Kongshaug as engineer. Recordings with Kongshaug always sound good!
Thank you for the subject matter of ECM records. I have about twenty or so records made by them and the sound quality always seems good to me. on my mid=fi system.
that Timeless LP is the one that hooked me, it was the first one I ever bought, and now I have 100's of ECM's, always buy when I see them.
peace, Chris.
My story is exactly the same.
Totally agree with you about the great artists on ECM. It is unfortunate that so much of their catalog is only on CD. I'm a big Metheny fan and so much of his work isn't on vinyl. If it's only on CD, I'll just stream it (if available). On a different note, I really enjoyed your interview with Branford Marsalis in "Sterophile". My only complaint was that it was a little short. Tell those folks over at "Stereophile" to fork over some more real-estate next time. /s Great videos, cheers!
I don't believe it! You finished with one of my favourite albums of recent years, Cartography. Nice listening to you. All the best.
.
Great video Ken, many thanks for sharing. Huge fan of ECM. In case you haven't had a chance yet, would highly recommend Anouar Brahem (Thimar, Blue Maqams), Jan Garbarek's Offcium (nothing like other Jan albums. Follow up is Officium Novum and another with same choir titled Mnemosyne. Also Andy Sheppard Movements in Colour etc. Enjoy and thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Thanks for this! I'm considering going back to my ECM honeyhole with all the Japanese Trio pressings (and promos)... Now I have a couple more to look for!
you have Japanese ECM pressings? WOW
@@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455 I have Japanese PROMO copies that I believe came out of Trio's own archives. I should have gotten more than I did but I have limited storage atm. I'll probably try to go back, but it's been a few months and they may be gone now.
Nice! Terje Rypdal! I think I have a few of those other ECM records as well.
I'd like to know your thoughts on the Catalyst Records Label. I have an Ahmad Jamal and George Muribus album on that label. Those two sound pretty good.
JAPO stands for JAzz POst, which started by artists sending in their cassettes and tapes through postal to evaluate by ECM. Eventually JAPO became sort of parrallel label. JAPO did not started or originated ECM label, it came later. German copies were pressed by Deutsche Grammophone, the famous 'DG' Classical label, which owned one of the highest quality pressing machines in EU. Great channel, keep posted!
The Ralph Towner Solstice is an amazing album. Got that one from Teddy as VCLT. After hearing it I grabbed Batik from ‘78 at my local. Another all out masterpiece in my opinion. ECM still doing things right too. The Vijay Iyer offerings are some of the best of modern jazz I dare say.
"The Widow in the Window" - Kenny Wheeler. A masterpiece on ECM.
And one of the harder to find titles..
Lovin' your work (again) Ken!
If I see Kongshaug as engineer, I know it would sound great.. DeJohnette is one of my faves, as well ad Frisell.. Interesting plinth for the TD-124 btw. What arm do you use? Looks like there’s a new Kuzma on the floor too.
great records.
Ken, I like a lot the circle(live in paris) and the Dave Holland quartet(conference of the birds). Great records.
Chick Corea Return to forever, is my first jazz-album (apart from a couple of Miles Davis). It is so freaking good! Hooked, gives me great pleasure. Looking to get some more in the same vein.
I went ECM-shopping the other day and found several, BUT...they were ECM-Warner Bros. titles. The labels had the plump letters instead of the thin ones and they were pressed in the US I believe. I didn't even know this was a thing until I examined them. What do you know about these?
so what. Still great music, and good pressings.
@@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455 Okay, just wanted to make sure that ECM was good all around and that US pressings weren't crap.
I started grabbing ECMs after watching your previous video on them. I went through the entire jazz section of my vintage store, grabbing every single one (in the best condition), most of them for $4-8. It took about 3 days but I cleaned them out. Only a handful were German presses, but even the US ones were mostly in mint condition. The store has since wised up & new arrivals are in the $10 range but I cleared out about 70 albums in total, most of them Keith Jarrett, John Abercrombie, Pat Methany, and Jan Gabarak.
Congrats on your score!
@@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455 Thanks! Just today I grabbed 2 Chick Coreas ("Children's Songs" (German press!) and "Piano Improvisations vol. 2")
Hey Ken. Great video. Unrelated question -- as a jazz fan and expert what do you think Oscar Peterson? I've been listening to him a lot at work because the tunes songs are familiar (American standards) and it's easy but could see how he might not be appreciated (or I could be totally wrong). Just curious to get your thoughts. Thanks!
Mike, funny you should ask! I used to turn down y nose at OP, he seemed too "white" or simply all flash. But this past weekend I listened to about 10 of his Verve releases, brilliant! Swings his ass off, beautiful phrasing, simply effortless. I think his older Pablo work is not as good. Have you seen the youtube clip where he is explaining jazz style to someone via the piano>? Pure magic. Thanks for the question
Ecm is a 3 man business, with Eicher having full creative control alone. And my understanding is that he is really focused with releasing as much as possible of new music, both digitally and alot of it on Vinyl. That said though, they just now started a reissue run of 25 iirc staples from their older catalogue. But yea, Eicher is getting older and afaik he has not been working with anyone to carry on the label, so who knows what will happen when he is gone. Also, you should check out more of Arve Henriksen outside ECM. In Norway he releases on the label Rune Gramofon and his newer stuff is really good.
They've reissued very little in the US compared to other labels. IIRC?
@@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455 That's true, only previous reissue I am aware of was the touchstone series a while back and that was more like an introductory series for newcomers just discovering the label.
Thanks for that info
thanks again Ken
I think I have about 3 ECM-label albums, but I can't be sure. I'll have to re-check my collection.
Could you do a Dixieland Jazz video? I've always liked it, but now that I'm collecting, I dunno where to start with albums or artists (besides Al Hirt) and I'd like an expert opinion.
that's a tough nut, I own few Dixieland records. But that's a good idea and I will do
Great video ken
Ken, New to your channel and have enjoyed your commentary. Been collecting jazz for awhile but getting more serious about the history of the musician's and there works and progressions. That being said have you any thoughts on the "Pablo" label? I seem to find a lot of interesting music and pairings on that label. I have also requested to join your FB group, still waiting on approval.
Not a giant Pablo fan, players past their prime in my experience. Will look for you in the requests
I certainly can't disagree with any of those. I'd throw in John Abercombie's Characters, which I prefer over his first album, also Gateway with Towner.
Hi Ken, I think we have a similar taste in music. The JAPO stuff is great. I have most of Dejohnette on ECM but I'm missing a couple.
Also the band Circle with Corea, Braxton and one of my favorite drummerd Barry Altschul. That yellow double album is wonderful.
I've never seen that Bill Frisell LP before I will have to look it up.
Do you remember Mark Johnsons band Bass Desires that was on ECM? I loved that when it came out around early mid 80s.
I really enjoying your videos. It was fun seeing you in Steves video also. Take care, Charles
harder to find these days would you agree? Jack that is on ECM
@@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455 Yep, I don't see them like I used to. I don't think I paid more than 5 for a used copy of DeJohnette on ECM. I did see a couple recently I think they were maybe $12.
I'm glad you say the prices for the stuff you get. I'm always interested in that. Take Care, Charles
Ken - How about a post on the "JAPO" label, as you alluded to it was the foundation of the ECM sound!
i only have about 3!
ThxK 💎
Great video Ken. New camera? Sound and pictures is very clear. Inspires me to get out some of my ECM's Don't think Ive ever seen that Enrico Rava lp. Do you upgrade your Kuzma?
Daniel Patterson Yes new camera new microphone whole new set up. I think I’m selling my Kuzma pipe bomb to get the new stabi R. I reviewed it for stereo file.
Great looking R deck. I'd like to do that as well. But Ive recently got me the Stabi. Need to get some more miles before upgrading. Good luck bet its a sweet table
Hi Ken. Fyi, Terje (Ripdal) is correctly pronounced "Terr - yeh". I have a Norwegian acquaintance with the same first name.
Thank you sir
Yup, right you are^^
Ruta was a shocker, I'm not surprised one sees it in the dollar bins so often these days. ECM is fascinating, may have 50% of the best Jazz Lp's ever made, yet 1/20 of their releases were very poor. To be Continued is lovely, sadly relatively unknown. Timeless used to be seen as one of the poorest of the early offerings.
1/20 very poor? How so? Timeless is a watershed moment of blast furnace improvisation between three monsters of the idiom.
@@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455 Many are, and it's my favourite label by a long stretch. The trick with ECM is to avoid Lp's with Corea or Abercrombie on. Souless, twiddly, cerebral soundscapers.
I actually saw many of these players live (like Enrique Rava, deJohnette, the late and wonderful Abercrombie for example) . Conveniently many ECM artists come yearly for a festival 150 km ish from where i live.
I hadn't started yet to collect (vinyl) records yet (i should't even be allowed to see your vids here, right ? ;) ). I did drooled over most of what you shown there (Ryptaal & deJohnette & Vitous on the same record? I didn't know such a thing existed). Surely being able to buy them would go a long way to making me switch to analog..
I can't get passed the electric bass which I don't like in my jazz.
Autumn Aarilyn Gary Peacock, Miroslav Vitous, Eddie Gomez, Eberhard Weber, Marc Johnson, all acoustic, all ECM
Maybe you just haven’t heard an album with electric bass that you like. Try ECM 1055 hotel hello, a duet album with Gary Burton and Steve Swallow.
@@jazzman642 I like electric bass on funk records but usually in jazz it's a poor substitute. The style of the 70's to present was heavily influenced by Tony Williams and Jack DeJohnette style drumming which only adds to the fusion/post bop/impressionistic edge to it. I don't really feel that style as to me it has more in common with prog rock noodling.
Fair enough. I still feel it’s worth a listen, then if you don’t like it at least you’ve given it a shot.