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August 24 , 2006
North, South, East, West
ECM’s releases in autumn 2006 include a number of albums that make specific reference to diverse folk traditions. Amongst them:
Kayhan Kalhor/Erdal Erzincan
The Wind
Kayhan Kalhor kamancheh
Erdal Erzincan baglama
Ulaş Özdemir divan baglama
After “The Rain”, “The Wind”: In recent years, Kayhan Kalhor’s innovative collabor-ation with Indian sitarist Shujaat Khan in the Ghazal group has blazed new trails between the traditions, offering new visions of a real East-meets-East synthesis. In similar investigative spirit, Kalhor now heads to Istanbul to cross-reference Persian and Turkish music in thrilling improvisations with Erdal Erzincan. Widely regarded as Turkey’s most innovative baglama (saz) player, and a master of the Anatolian folk tradition, Erzincan has never sounded like this, inspired to new heights by Kayhan’s astonishing kamancheh playing. With Ulaş Özdemir supporting on bass baglama, Kayhan and Erdal deliver a tour-de-force of sustained invention, using traditional material as a springboard.
ECM 1981
Release date: September 26
Dino Saluzzi Group
Juan Condori
Dino Saluzzi bandoneon
Felix ’Cuchara’ Saluzzi saxophones, clarinet
José Maria Saluzzi guitar
Matias Saluzzi bass
UT Gandhi drums, percussion
The bandoneon master at home. Recorded in Buenos Aires, this disc features the Saluzzi clan at their most relaxed, joined by Italian drummer U.T. Gandhi, already embraced by all Saluzzis as an honorary family member, and an interesting musician in his own right. This is a warm, approachable record, and certain to find a large audience. The “Juan Condori” of the title? According to Dino, a ‘childhood friend from an Indian family. An almost magical figure deeply in touch with the whole context of nature: animals, birds, fish, plants.. When we play this music we are together with him again”. Musical storytelling that transcends barriers of style and language.
ECM 1978
Release date: October 6
Robin Williamson
The Iron Stone
Robin Williamson vocals, Celtic harp, Mohan vina, Chinese flute, whistles, tabwrdd drum
Mat Maneri viola, Hardanger fiddle
Barre Phillips double-bass
Ale Möller mandola, accordion, clarino, shawm, natural flutes, drone flutes, whistles, jaw harps
Folk music, free improvising, early music, songs, verse. The third ECM album by Scottish singer/multi-instrumentalist Robin Williamson is the most far-reaching yet. Williamson sets poetry of Ralph Waldo Emerson, John Clare, Thomas Wyatt and Walter Raleigh as well as his own words, and also – as on the title track - revisits music of his old group, the highly-influential Incredible String Band. Co-creators of the unique soundscapes here are all well-known to ECM listeners: Ale Möller, leading architect of the Swedish folk revival, playing mandola, accordion, flutes and much more, the uniquely expressive viola player Mat Maneri, and veteran bass innovator Barre Phillips.
ECM 1969
Release date: October 10
Vladimir Godár
Mater
Ivo Bittová voice
Milos Valent violin, viola
Marek Štryncl conductor
Ensemble Solamente Naturali
Bratislava Conservatory Choir
The Christian cycle of birth – death – resurrection provides a context for Slovak composer Vladimir Godár ‘s “musical archaeology”. His compositions for female voice and period instruments are also inspired by the work of singer Iva Bittová whose performance here is both powerful and touching. As protagonist of Mater, Bittova embodies “Woman-Mother who gives life, shapes buries and mourns.” Other compositional inspirations, in this suite of sacred music for vocal and instrumental forces ranging from small ensemble to chamber orchestra and choir, include Monteverdi, Slovak folk music and James Joyce. Milos Valent, familiar to ECM listeners for his exemplary work with Stephen Stubbs, leads his Ensemble Solamente Naturali and solos persuasively.
ECM New Series 1985
Release date: October 20
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