Johan Budi
The international jazz community has received a significant double-announcement from ECM Records regarding the expansion of its 2025 release schedule, featuring a brand-new studio effort from saxophonist Joe Lovano and a high-fidelity vinyl reissue of a seminal 1977 recording by guitarist Bill Connors. These releases represent two distinct pillars of the ECM ethos: the pursuit of contemporary ensemble innovation and the preservation of the label’s historic "Touchstones" through the premium Luminessence audiophile series. The new quartet led by Lovano, titled the Paramount Quartet, introduces a fresh configuration of world-class improvisers, while the Connors reissue, Of Mist And Melting, returns a classic of the European chamber-jazz aesthetic to the vinyl format with its original visual identity restored.
The Paramount Quartet: A New Chapter in the Lovano-ECM Partnership
Joe Lovano, a Grammy-winning saxophonist whose career has spanned several decades across iconic labels such as Blue Note, Soul Note, and more recently ECM, has debuted a new ensemble dubbed the Paramount Quartet. Recorded in February 2025 at the renowned Studios La Buissonne in Pernes-les-Fontaines, France, the album marks a shift in Lovano’s recent output, which has lately been defined by the more ethereal, trio-based explorations of his "Trio Tapestry" project alongside Marilyn Crispell and Carmen Castaldi.
The Paramount Quartet features a cross-generational lineup that bridges various stylistic backgrounds. Joining Lovano (who performs on tenor and soprano saxophones, as well as the Hungarian tarogato) is the acclaimed guitarist Julian Lage, a musician known for his meticulous phrasing and versatility. The rhythm section is anchored by bassist Asante Santi Debriano and drummer Will Calhoun. Calhoun’s presence is particularly notable; primarily known as the drummer for the multi-platinum rock band Living Colour, he has maintained a sophisticated parallel career in jazz and world music, bringing a distinct rhythmic density to this session.
Compositional Structure and Performance Analysis
The album’s repertoire consists of seven tracks, blending original compositions with interpretations of works by jazz legends Charlie Haden and Wayne Shorter. Industry analysts have noted that the session oscillates between abstract, "free-touched" interplay and more structured, groove-oriented pieces.
- Amsterdam: This track serves as a centerpiece for the quartet’s experimental tendencies. Following an abstract thematic opening, the piece evolves into a study of "linear meticulously-phrased" guitar work from Lage, offset by Calhoun’s expansive drumming.
- Fanfare For Unity: In contrast to the more pensive tracks, this piece adopts a jaunty, bustling tempo that highlights the ensemble’s ability to navigate traditional melodic structures with a modern edge.
- Congregation: The album’s closing track is characterized by a "swing-sprung" and funky groove, providing a rare moment of rhythmic propulsion in an otherwise rubato-heavy collection.
The inclusion of Charlie Haden’s "First Song" and Wayne Shorter’s "Lady Day" connects the session to the broader lineage of the genre. However, the release has sparked some academic discussion regarding the titling of Haden’s piece; the album lists it simply as "First Song," omitting the parenthetical "(For Ruth)" that traditionally accompanies the title. Critics have also drawn comparisons between Lovano’s delivery on this track and the legendary 1991 recording by Stan Getz and Kenny Barron, noting that Lovano’s approach favors a fluttering, "less diversely inflected" line compared to Getz’s historic performance.
Bill Connors and the Luminessence Audiophile Initiative
Parallel to the Lovano release, ECM has announced the high-grade vinyl reissue of Bill Connors’ 1977 album, Of Mist And Melting. This release is part of the Luminessence series, an ongoing project by the label to reissue cornerstone albums on 180-gram vinyl with premium packaging and extensive new liner notes. This marks the third time the album has been issued on the label, following previous CD incarnations in the "Touchstones" series.
Bill Connors occupies a unique space in jazz history. He was the original guitarist for Chick Corea’s Return to Forever, performing on the 1973 fusion landmark Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy. However, Connors famously departed the group to pursue a more introspective, acoustic-focused direction, a move that eventually led him to Manfred Eicher’s ECM Records.
Personnel and Historical Context
Of Mist And Melting features a "supergroup" of ECM stalwarts from the late 1970s:
- Bill Connors: Classical Guitar
- Jan Garbarek: Tenor and Soprano Saxophones
- Gary Peacock: Double Bass
- Jack DeJohnette: Drums
The album was recorded in Oslo in December 1977 and captures a specific moment in jazz when the "ECM sound"—characterized by spaciousness, reverb, and a focus on timbre—was being codified. The new reissue includes extensive sleeve notes by Friedrich Kunzmann, which provide a biographical timeline of Connors’ transition from the high-volume electric fusion of the early 70s to the disciplined, classical-guitar-led compositions found here.
The musical content of the album remains a benchmark for chamber jazz. Tracks such as "Melting" and "Cafe Vue" feature Garbarek’s signature "tenor-fired" intensity, while "Face In The Water" highlights his soprano work. The rhythm section of Peacock and DeJohnette is praised for its "dynamic sensitivity and polyrhythmic power," providing a foundation that allows Connors to phrase "behind the beat" with his classical guitar.
Production and Technical Specifications
Both releases adhere to the high technical standards associated with ECM and producer Manfred Eicher. The Paramount Quartet session was engineered at Studios La Buissonne, a facility known for capturing acoustic instruments with extreme clarity.
| Feature | Joe Lovano: Paramount Quartet | Bill Connors: Of Mist And Melting |
|---|---|---|
| Label Number | ECM 785 1791 | ECM 674 3064 |
| Recording Date | February 2025 | December 1977 |
| Format | CD / Digital | 180g Vinyl (Luminessence) |
| Primary Instruments | Tenor Sax, Tarogato, Electric Guitar | Classical Guitar, Soprano/Tenor Sax |
| Total Runtime | 44:06 | 47:02 |
The Bill Connors reissue is of particular interest to collectors due to the restoration of its original artwork. While previous CD reissues utilized an "ice landscape" design by Sascha Kleis, the Luminessence vinyl returns to the original photography by Daniel Lienhard and the minimalist design of Barbara Wojirsch, which was synonymous with the label’s visual identity during its first decade.
Analysis of Implications for ECM Records
The simultaneous promotion of a new project (Lovano) and a historical reissue (Connors) illustrates ECM’s dual-track strategy in the current music market. By continuing to sign high-profile veterans like Lovano, the label maintains its relevance in the contemporary jazz scene. Conversely, the Luminessence series targets the burgeoning audiophile and vinyl enthusiast market, which has shown a sustained appetite for high-quality physical media.
The Paramount Quartet represents a "curate’s egg" of sorts—a term used to describe something with both excellent and mediocre qualities. While the chemistry between Lovano and Lage is undeniable, some listeners may find the "academic quality" of certain tracks a departure from the more visceral energy found in Lovano’s earlier work for Blue Note. However, the inclusion of the tarogato (a Hungarian woodwind instrument) adds a unique tonal color that distinguishes the album from standard quartet recordings.
For Bill Connors, the reissue serves as a reminder of his influence on the evolution of jazz guitar. By stepping away from the electric pyrotechnics of fusion to master the classical guitar, Connors paved the way for future generations of "crossover" guitarists who sought to blend European classical techniques with jazz improvisation.
Chronology of Key Events
- 1973: Bill Connors records Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy with Return to Forever before departing for a solo career.
- December 1977: Connors, Garbarek, Peacock, and DeJohnette record Of Mist And Melting in Oslo.
- 1991: Stan Getz and Kenny Barron record "First Song (For Ruth)," setting a high bar for the Charlie Haden composition.
- 2025 (February): Joe Lovano records the Paramount Quartet session at Studios La Buissonne.
- 2025 (Release Schedule): ECM officially launches the Paramount Quartet album and the Luminessence reissue of Of Mist And Melting.
Conclusion
The release of Paramount Quartet and the reissue of Of Mist And Melting offer a comprehensive look at the past and present of one of the world’s most influential jazz labels. While the Lovano session explores new textures with a diverse cast of players, the Connors reissue reaffirms the timelessness of the 1970s ECM aesthetic. Both albums, despite being separated by nearly five decades, share a commitment to meticulous production and the exploration of the "life-force" inherent in improvised music. As ECM continues to navigate the modern recording landscape, these releases provide a bridge between the historical foundations of the genre and its future possibilities.
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