Descendre

Following on from the release of Terje Rypdal's widely acclaimed new album Conspiracy, ECM now reissues four Rypdal recordings from the 1970's albums which helped to establish the Norwegian guitarist as a truly original force in creative music. Terje Rypdal: guitar, keyboards, flute; Palle Mikkelborg: trumpet, flugelhorn, keyboard; Jon Christensen: drums, percussion (1979). Among the pleasures of this group of Rypdal reissues is the presence throughout of drummer Jon Christensen. Terje and Jon, lifelong friends, played on dozens of albums and in many groups together. Christensen always alluded to the trio with Terje and Danish trumpeter Palle Mikkelborg as heard on Descendre - as a particular favourite of his, an ideal instance of an interactive small group that could move in multiple directions. As drummer in the trio he could from moment to moment underline the melodic jazz phrasing of Palle Mikkelborg or rock out with Terje, find ways to combine their different time feelings, or strike out on his own. The three musicians could create highly atmospheric ensemble music, drifting clouds of sound sometimes with both Terje and Palle playing keyboards - or develop freely contrapuntal ideas. The very open pieces that Rypdal wrote for this trio - such as the superb "Circles" - allowed maximum room for expression.

1. Avskjed - 5:42

2. Circles - 11:13

3. Descendre - 3:10

4. Innseiling - 7:57

5. Men Of Mystery - 8:23

6. Speil - 8:23