Survivors Suite
Keith Jarrett's prolific quartet work during the 1970s had lots of peaks, from his Nordic band'sBelongingto his U.S.-based band's entire Impulse! output (now available on two excellent multi-CD sets,The Impulse Years: 1973-1974andMysteries: 1975-1976). This 1977 date, featuring the U.S. lineup of Jarrett and tenor saxophonistDewey Redman, bassistCharlie Haden, and drummerPaul Motian, also highlighted Jarrett's soprano saxophone, celeste, bass recorder, and percussion across the span of two lengthy 20-plus-minute segments of theSurvivors' Suite. Slow developments intensify the music's length, both harmonic and melodic, as it builds toward cresting and busting points and recedes again into remarkably sensitive, quiet solos and duos between the group's players. Haden and Jarrett (on Celeste) play a stellar duet to usher in the closing movement from the first segment, and, as always, Redman plays with a biting intensity and a Texas-blues yearning that's as wide and long as the Lone Star state.--Andrew Bartlett