Arild Andersen - Green in Blue - Early Quartets - (3 CDs) [FLAC]

A specially-priced box set in ECM's Old and New Masters Series features master bassist Arild Andersen's first three albums as a leader - 'Clouds In My Head', 'Shimri' and 'Green Shading Into Blue' - none of which has previously appeared on CD! All three discs from the mid-70s have been eagerly sought by collectors over the years, and this box will appeal both to followers of Arild Andersen and ECM completists, as well as anyone who enjoys hearing spirited jazz played with flair and sensitivity.

Together the three discs present a compelling picture of Andersen's first years as a bandleader. They show his ability to lead an ensemble, to harness young talent and direct it creatively. There are also many fine tunes from Arild's pen and, of course, there is plenty of Arild's tremendous bass playing in the ballads and up-tempo pieces. All three albums were produced by Manfred Eicher in Oslo and for this CD re-issue all the music has been re-mastered.

In 1974 the great Norwegian bassist Arild Andersen decided to strike out on his own. After six years as Jan Garbarek's bassist and a parallel career as freelance musician, playing for everyone from Don Cherry to Stan Getz, he launched his own group. The first recording, 'Clouds In My Head' featured two 19 year olds - drummer Pål Thowsen, a virtuoso from Arild's neighbourhood in Lillestroem, and the then-unknown Jon Balke on piano. On saxophone was Knut Riisnaes, leading light of Oslo's bebop scene.

1976's 'Shimri' featured a revised line-up with the great Finnish saxophonist Juhani Aaltonen, a wonderfully expressive player, and Swedish pianist Lars Jansson. 1978's 'Green Shading Into Blue' added discreet use of synthesizers to the group's palette with Lars Jansson now playing Mini-Moog and String Ensemble keyboards as well as piano. Andersen had been inspired by Herbie Hancock's use of electronic keyboards, but sought to integrate them as colours in a group where "the energy still derived from the core acoustic quartet". Source: amazon.co.uk

CD 1 - Clouds In My Head

Tracklist:
01 - 305 W 18 St - 04:00
02 - Last Song - 03:15
03 - Outhouse - 07:54
04 - Song For A Sad Day - 07:04
05 - Clouds In My Head - 03:32
06 - Cycles - 06:21
07 - Siv - 03:34
08 - The Sword Under His Wings - 09:45

Personnel:
* Arild Andersen - double bass
* Knut Riisnæs - tenor and soprano saxophones, flute
* Jon Balke - piano
* Pål Thowsen - drums

Recorded February 1975 at Arne Bendiksen Studio, Oslo
Engineer: Jan Erik Kongshaug
Produced by Manfred Eicher

CD 2 - Shimri

Tracklist:
01 - Shimri (Andersen) 05:55
02 - No Tears (Andersen) 09:27
03 - Ways of Days (Andersen) 04:47
04 - Wood Song (Aaltonen, Andersen, Jansson, Thowsen) 06:02
05 - Vaggvisa for Hanna (Jansson) 03:46
06 - Dedication (Andersen) 11:43

Personnel:
* Arild Andersen - double bass
* Juhani Aaltonen - tenor and soprano saxophones, flute, percussion
* Lars Jansson - piano
* Pål Thowsen - drums

Recorded October 1976

CD 3 - Green Shading Into Blue

Tracklist:
01 - Sole (Andersen) 09:33
02 - Guitarist (Andersen) 03:57
03 - Anima (Jansson) 09:00
04 - Radka's Samba (Andersen) 04:10
05 - Terhi (Jansson) 03:02
06 - Green Shading into Blue (Andersen) 09:04
07 - Jana (Andersen) 07:00

Personnel:
* Arild Andersen - double bass
* Juhani Aaltonen - tenor and soprano saxophones, flute
* Lars Jansson - piano, synthesizer
* Pål Thowsen - drums

Recorded April 1978

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