Gary Burton/Chick Corea: Crystal Silence – The ECM Recordings, 1972-79 (ECM 176 8057)
Just as the label did with a group of the Keith Jarrett Standards Trio albums, as well as sets of Steve Kuhn and the Codona band, this is a neat white box containing, in minimal sleeves and with a comprehensive booklet, a set of classic recordings from way back in ECM’s history.
The vibes player and the pianist showed themselves to be the ideal duo partners on Crystal Silence in 1972. Here were original and inimitable Corea compositions like Senor Mouse and Children’s Song, as well as favourites from the Burton band catalogue, written by the likes of Steve Swallow and Mike Gibbs, played by two instruments that shared so much but contrasted so well, too, and played with almost telepathic empathy.
It was an immediate hit, and there was, naturally, a follow up, though the Crystal Silence fans had to wait six years for Duet, which contained a whole bunch of further Corea Children’s Songs.
And a year after that, the pair played a magical concert in Zurich which was preserved on double LP and latterly on one CD, though omitting two solo pieces. Thankfully they are restored in the two discs of live material that complete this box.
It’s not hard to hear the charm of this music – Corea’s Spanish influence and Burton’s country tendencies bring rich new flavours to the jazz improvisations, and the instrumental combination has a lightness and sparkle that is not there with two pianos. Both lively and meditative, too, – sometimes, uncannily, at the same time – here is music that transcends its time much more easily than the hair and dress styles of its creators in the booklet photos.
Categories: CD review
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