Favourite ECM Titles


We all know ECM is releasing some amazing music both in sound quality as well as "Musical Value"!

They have released a bit over 1200 records if I am not mistaken!

What is your favourite ECM title?
argyro

Showing 6 responses by russellrcncom

Maybe this thread should be renamed "the genius of Manfred Eicher" as for a while, he produced all albums under this label. Eicher is a genius for getting the most out of an artist. I agree with the previous comments with respect to Pat Metheny. It seemed he hit his high with "80/81" and "New Chautaugua" with mixed results after. Some of my favorites (there are so many its almost pointless):

Chick Corea: Solo Improvisations, Vol's 1 & 2
Kenny Wheeler: Gnu High, Deer Wan
Egberto Gismonti: Solo is my favorite but virtually anything he did with ECM is great
Rainer Bruninghaus: Freiweight
Mick Goodrick: In Passing
Old and New Dreams: An all star ensemble with Dewey Redman and DOn Cherry.
Dave Holland: Extensions and Life Cycle

The list is endless.
And speaking of Oud players (actually just one of many instruments he plays), has anyone been turned on to Stephan Micus? I have several of his releases on ECM. Towards the Wind is one of my favorites. Desert Poems is on my short list.

FYI: The Chants, hymns, and Dances release mentioned previously is probably the best CD purchase I've made in the last 10 years (out of hundreds). I can't recommend it highly enough.
Most of the responses to this thread have centered on jazz releases but ECM has wonderful classical releases as well. I discovered a talented Russian composer on this label who up to now I never even heard of: Valentin Silvestrov. Check out Bagatellen and Seranaden or any of his other releases.
I 3rd the Anouar Brahem recommendations. Does anyone have the Astounding Eyes of Rita? This is on my short list of CD's to purchase.
Roscoe, if you like Jarrett you might want to check out some of the early Kenny Wheeler issues on this label (Deer Wan and Gnu High). Jarrett plays on the latter, not sure on the former. Wheeler along with Egberto Gismonti were (are) my favorite artists on this label. Gismonti s like a Brazillian Keith Jarrett: he's that versatile.