I've long been a big fan of Jarrett's Köln Concert album, so thought I'd try this album he did with Scandinavian trio Jan Garbarek (sax), Palle Danielsson (bass) and Jon Christensen (drums), when I saw it for a couple of quid in a charity shop - only to find it already sitting on my shelves at home. That's happening too frequently these days.
Spiral Dance opens, Jarrett's piano laying down a foundation for Garbarek's sax to play a lovely melody over. Blossom is a longer, slower piece which veers off into what sounds like an improvisation of both piano and sax - a sold jazz noise which never quite gets the toes tapping. Long As You Know You're Living Yours, shares a lot of DNA with Steely Dan's Gaucho, having a similar piano base and sax motif. And on checking, it seems Jarrett thought that too, and after a word from his lawyers, Donald Fagan and Walter Becker had to add Jarrett to the writing credits.
The title track is a much shorter, quieter affair, with The Wind Up quickening the pace before meandering a little aimlessly in a freestyle way. The album ends with the more reflective Solstice, Garbarek, Jarrett and Danielsson display their solo prowess (thankfully, no drum solo) bringing the album to a slow conclusion.
I've enjoyed this album, without being blown away by anything, but certainly intend to revisit.
3* - a really nice 45 minute jazz listen
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