ECM stands for Edition of Contemporary Music …Strange but true

friend introduced me to ECM back in the 70's. took a little time to get into them but grew to love the "sound" of the label. Keith Jarrett then Kenny Wheeler, Gary Burton, Chick Corea, Collin Walcott, Art Lande and Jan Garbarek and many, many more! great stuff.

I consider ECM to be one of the most important music labels of all time and in history, i've been a follower of the label for close to almost 20 years and i have a very large CD collection of that label's music ranging from jazz to classical, my dad has also been a follower for almost 30 years and his collection is also very large and much bigger than mine. A lot of the jazz icons we know all got their break on the label from Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, Gary Burton, Keith Jarrett, Tomasz Stanko, Jan Gabarek just to name a few who have all made classic albums with them. What i love about the label is it's been used as a great platform to build up and launch future stars like Jakob Bro, Jacob Young, Tord Gustavsen, Marcin Wasilewski and his trio, Manu Katche and many more, even greats like Chris Potter, Mark Turner, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Eberhard Weber, Miroslav Vitous and Craig Taborn have made outstanding albums with ECM. I have a lot of respect for Manfred Eicher and his vision for what he brings to the production and the high level of sound quality he brings to the music, he has done an amazing job with the label and has never sold out for the sake of 'more money, he has stuck to his guns and has always kept his focus on one thing: the music. I am always looking forward to whenever ECM release a new album, last year i bought virtually every album that came out from that label and i can't wait to see what comes this year. That is an amazing collection and it's good to see people do know about the label and i hope more will know about it in the future. If you are looking for the best listening experience then i highly recommend ECM as it is the one place you can get the best and highest quality of music ever.

@kevinwollenweber340

4 жыл бұрын

I, too, like the music on ECM, and Ralph Towner's SOLSTICE is a terrific example of how good such sessions can get. In fact, I am looking for two outstanding albums: TIMES SQUARE by Gary Burton (or at least he is on it) and Eberhard Weber's THE FOLLOWING MORNING. It is a shame that both of these albums, as far as I know, are not out on CD, but I could be wrong, which is why I'm putting out this inquiry. Rhino should do an extensive box set on the label and, believe me, by now, it should feature many, many excellent recordings. I consider the quality period to be the early 1970's, but that is when I started collecting albums on that label as so many of my favorite artists ended up there.

You missed Eberhard Weber

I have inherited twelve ECM albums from my Stepfather. I was planning to trade them for more stuff in my taste. But as excited as you are about them, I'm going to give them another listen. Thank you.

@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455

4 жыл бұрын

Please do!

Great intro into ECM. Discovered some new stuff I really like.

Great video, as usual.

thanks ken. i learned alot from this video.yeah i loved paul bley, footloose on savoy and one of his first solemn meditation with the great and underated dave pike, and of course his great solos with bill evans with george russells orchestra.

I love this video because of the tangents you go off on, not just talking about ECM but the artists and the records they made for others as well. You could definitely do a part 2 to this, talking about Keith Jarrett, Steve Tibbetts, Art Ensemble of Chicago, Oregon, DeJohnette, Pat Metheny, the list goes on.

@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks Bill

@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455

6 жыл бұрын

yeah, part two. maybe play a little ECM music as well

Love me some ECM. It was a label I was digging for early on when I started collecting records in my teens. Initially I sought after Chick Corea's Crystal Silence and when I finally got a copy and put it on it just opened my world up to the sound of ECM. I haven't picked up an ECM record yet that I wasn't captivated by.

5 to 10 minutes mentioned records: Gary Burton Quartet - Picture This Rainer Brüninghaus - Freigeweht Old and New Dreams - Don Cherry, Dewey Redman, Charlie Haden, Ed Blackwell Bill Connors - Of Mist and Melting Don Cherry, Ed Blackwell - El Corazón Codona - Codona Don Cherry Chick Corea Miroslav Vitouš Roy Haynes - Trio Music Chick Corea, Dave Holland, Barry Altschul - A.R.C. Chick Corea / David Holland* / Barry Altschul - A. R. C. with different cover Jan Garbarek - Eventyr Jan Garbarek / Arild Andersen / Edward Vesala - Triptykon Charlie Haden, Jan Garbarek, Egberto Gismonti - Folk Songs Charlie Haden, Jan Garbarek, Egberto Gismonti - Magico Gismonti & Naná Vasconcelos - Duas Vozes Jimmy Gordon And His Jazznpops Band - Hog Fat

Hi, I just found your channel. Really appreciate what you are doing. I love Paul Bley so much. His label Improvising Artist is one of my favorite labels. I don't have that electronic one, but will get it eventually I hope. I am also a fan of ECM. I have many ECM's but nowhere near all of them. Its' really endless. The Chick Corea albums are also wonderful. 3/4 of Circle. Which was also on ECM with that wonderful live album in Paris. Thanks, Charles

@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for commenting WordsRuinMusic...

ECM = Edition of Contemporary Music Actually there is a book called "ECM - A Cultural Archaeology" (in English) by Okwui Enwezor & Markus Müller. An amazing book! Love it.

@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455

6 жыл бұрын

Ooh, yes, I saw that Winter Jazz Fest a few years back. Thanks for reminding me! And the ECM explanation...

@gspotjazz

6 жыл бұрын

I also heard that ECM are Manfred Eicher's initials reversed (MCE).

@Theomite

3 жыл бұрын

The problem is that book is hella expensive. I tried looking it up and the asking price was at least $400. Jazz label books are starting to go up in price, making it hard for us to grab them for our libraries.

Great video. Very informative. I care!!

Very informative video. I’m just started to collect ecm records. Thanks man. Just subbed u singing ur channel

Very good video. Conference of Birds by Braxton and friends is one of my top jazz favs and it’s on ECM

In Spotify now where I have all my jazz playlists, ECM merits it's own. "ECM jazz". Nothing like it.

A favourite ECM artist for me is Edward Vesala. I managed to meet him on his last London visit. Lumi and Nan Madol are great.

WOW. Timeless is a brilliant record. So many great albums there! I love Batik from Ralph Towner

I am thankful for recently stumbling upon this channel.

@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for stumbling in and your kind comment

I can ear a true passionate here, very much appreciated this video 🚀

ECM - Edition of Contemporary Music

I started with Pat Metheny 40 years ago. I probably have 120 or more titles including the Art Ensemble box of 21 CDs.

I've been buying ECM since mid-1970s...Chick Corea/Gary Burton, "Crystal Silence" I think was my first. I have a lot of the ones you mention, but I got a lot of great tips from your video. I like your descriptions!

@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much.

Great video! I will look out for some of the stuff you recommended. Just to share my enthusiasm... The most popular artists to record with ECM and Manfred Eicher are Pat Metheny and of course the great Keith Jarrett. His "The Köln Concert", recorded in the 70ies under hilarious conditions, is legendary... For many years Jarrett had an "European Quartett" with Palle Danielson, Jon Christensen and Norwegian Saxophone player Jan Garbarek. Garbarek is my most beloved artist. He integrates Jazz, his baltic roots, Scandinavian Folk and.. well... the wideness and the special light of the northern hemisphere in his music... Check out their record "My Song"... Garbarek has become a jazz superstar in Europe. Unfortunately some of his late work has never been released on vinyl, but ECM still sells "Places" and "I took up the runes" which is a fantastic and highly recommended record.... I would also go for "Rites", "Twelve Moons" and the great Live album "Dresden" on CD or streaming. The holy Garbarek grail is "Officium" where he joins the vocalists of the Hillard Ensemble as their "fifth voice" - an out of this world, spiritual experience... And ... to come to an end.. There are fantastic contemporary artist on ECM.. like Nik Bärtsch´s Ronin from Switzerland and Tord Gustavsen from norway... enjoy!

@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455

5 жыл бұрын

indeed, I have much Garbarek vinyl

This video made an impression on me when I caught it last year as I was always interested in ECM, but never took the leap back in the day. So last year I happened onto a couple of titles, but this past summer I lucked out with some real finds when a local shop had picked up someones collection. Picked up about nine titles including a couple from this video by dumb luck. Really enjoyed the Rainer Brüninghaus and Terje Rypdal albums; also scored a Colln Walcot w/ Don Cherry and a Stanley Cowell Trio. Keeping my eyes open for more!

You mention Rainer Bruninghaus…and Jan Garbarek, Paul Bley, Gary Burton…and then fail to mention the magnificent Eberhard Weber, who all played with him Fo’ shame, sir. Nice vid apart from that small omission 👏🤣so many great names, so much talent…ECM was my mainstay for many many years 💪❤️

@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455

23 күн бұрын

Cant please all the people, I please myself.

I care! Thanks for this awesome video, Ken!

ECM . What can I say? I became addicted 40 yrs ago to the pastoral ambience. Unbeatable! e.g. "'Fluid Rustle"' (Eberhard Weber) The cover art is the greatest also. There was a huge book that just dealt with the cover art alone. LOL.

Pat Metheny ECM are some of his best!

Editions in Contemporary Music

Between 10.00 - 15.32 minutes mentioned records : Enrico Rava Quartet - Opening Night Enrico Rava - Quotation Marks I Compani - Ecco! - More Filmmusic By Nino Rota Enrico Rava Quartet - Ah Enrico Rava - The Plot Enrico Rava - The Pilgrim And The Stars Terje Rypdal, Miroslav Vitous, Jack DeJohnette - To Be Continued Terje Rypdal - Odyssey Terje Rypdal - Terje Rypdal 1971 Terje Rypdal - What Comes After Terje Rypdal / Miroslav Vitous / Jack DeJohnette 1979 Terje Rypdal - Descendre Terje Rypdal - After The Rain Terje Rypdal - Waves different cover with text (fusion and spirits) added Terje Rypdal - Whenever I Seem to Be Far Away Paul Motian - Monk in Motian Butch Morris - Homeing Paul Motian - Conception Vessel Paul Motian Trio - Dance Paul Motian Trio - One Time Out Paul Motian - The Story Of Maryam Paul Motian - Psalm

Ken, just discovered your channel tho read you monthly in S'phile. Enjoying it all. Recently discovered Ranier Bruninghaus and like him a lot, Freighweht and Continuum are the LPs I have. Also have a nice Gary Burton ECM, Whiz Kids. In the future, I'd be interested in getting a look at your listening room and setup.

@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455

6 жыл бұрын

Snads, thanks for checking out my vids. I'm no Steve Guttenberg, but I'm trying! Yes, I will rundown the rig, that's a good idea...and thanks for reading my Sphile reviews.

@Lesiga1

5 жыл бұрын

Freigeweht and Continuum are really bloody fantastic records! There's another on Wergo called Shadows and Smiles with Manfred Schoof, but the ecms re matchless indeed - its like music floating out of a high blue sky.

I would like to mention these exceptional recordings....Paul Bley/ Open,to love....Mick Goodrick / in passing....Dave Holland / emerald tears.....Evan Parker /around six....all ECM .....

Ah, I love ECM. It's always a bargain and almost always amazing.

Among ECM’s finest moments was the rehabilitation of Manfred Schoof’s Quintet. Also grabbing Old & New Dreams. John Surman is among my favourite.

Jimmy Gordon (9:47)... That's Jim Gordon from Derek and the Domino's (Eric Clapton's 70's band) sad demise, killed his Mother, alive and in a California Prison.

ECM records is one of the few labels that I will buy darn near sight unseen, along with Bluenote, Impulse to an extent, Prestige and Blacksaint. I have some of the albums that you showed. You are right the ECM are not expensive at all. I started off with John Ambercrombie and went from there. ECM records are always wonderfully produced and mastered.

@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455

5 жыл бұрын

Cheers!

Some others: Meredith Monk's 'Dolmen Music', Steve Reich's Music for '18 Musicians', & many by cellist David Darling.

Jim Gordon was a great rock drummer. He did a lot of L.A. session work and was a protege of Hal Blaine. Similar to Jim Keltner. Gordon played for Delaney & Bonnie and Eric Clapton's Derek & the Dominoes, Joe Cocker, Traffic, Zappa...most everyone of note of the period. He later had a mental breakdown, killed his own mother, and is currently still in prison. I would hold onto that album.

@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455

3 жыл бұрын

Yep. i know who Jim is. Was a drummer for many years and he was a major inflluence. I wrote a story about Jimi in Modern Drummer where Jim Keltner recalled all their mad days. I had an interview lined up with Jim in the mid 2000s, but he had an episode and the doctor said it couldn't happen.

@Mooseman327

3 жыл бұрын

@@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455 Well, there's a tiny chance you may still get to interview him but it doesn't seem he's gotten better over the years. Here's a short, sterling assessment of Jim Gordon from Eric Clapton: kzread.info/dash/bejne/mGuEuNN6iZDbXbw.html

Old and New Dreams is my favourite ECM. I'd recommend Codonna 3 as the best of their trilogy

HI Ken, Do you know the Tord Gustavsen trio? Theyre also on ECM records. Pretty good, not sure if its on vinyl though

@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455

5 жыл бұрын

Yeah, they're great but not sure re vinyl. ECM is weird towards new vinyl, you never know if they will or if they wont

German ECM vinyls are in the pinacle of pinacle. The pressing and sound are (bay far) the best of the world.

Ken, how about a John Abercrombie review? I haven't seen one among these more recent videos, maybe you did one already?

@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455

5 жыл бұрын

Good idea! Timeless is an all time favorite.

Cool vid, Ken. Why do you keep your records outside of the cardboard sleeves like that? I've heard about shipping them that way but not storing them... Thanks.

@Dems-fk8sh

6 жыл бұрын

I believe it saves the cover from being cut in two parts ?

@carlosramonlorenzolaureta5965

3 жыл бұрын

If i remember correctly, Ken told me that storing the vinyl outside the jacket prevents ring wear.

Talk about art ensemble of chic if you have any to show Thanks Always looking forward to new. Videos

@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455

6 жыл бұрын

Art Ensemble or Chic? The funk band?

@fu2588

6 жыл бұрын

Art Ensemble of Chicago!! That's a hole other ball game tho. Great to see some ESP Disk on your collection. Also check out the book Touching the Horizon, on ECM. Full of interviews about the label, nice read

@_frankwaxman

5 жыл бұрын

Horizons Touched ;-)

Chicago

Hi Ken. Are the Universal Music reissues of ECM records good? Or should one just keep searching for the original ECM pressings? Really enjoy your videos and recommendations.

@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455

3 жыл бұрын

I've only heard a few and while not as "organic" as the originals, they sound very good. Cut from files.

@paulturgeon5803

3 жыл бұрын

@@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455 Ok great. That helps, I’ll be sticking with the ECM pressings. They put some kind of magic in those vinyl. Thanks!

One listen to the Koln Concerts and you’ll quickly understand why Keith Jarrett chose ECM. I believe I own approximately 20 ECM recordings possibly more

Jim Gordon was a very famous drummer in the late 1960's and 1970's in the LA studios. Everybody was talking about him at that time. He was one of the top studio drummers for sure. Ray Brown, Mike Melvoine, Bud Shank and hundreds of Jazz musicians used to play a lot with him, they really loved him, great sound, groove, swing, feel, etc. We can say that he was like John Guerin, if we can compare him to another. He also did a lot of shows in California with a lot of people too. I heard that he played shows in Vegas at night, then took planes to go back to LA to record some sessions and go back to Vegas at the end of the day. He killed his mother I think in 1983-1984-1985, he was mentally ill. He's still incarcerated until today as far as i know .... Very sad story ...

@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455

6 жыл бұрын

yep. I was scheduled to interview him at Atascedero Hospital but on the day of the interview, he had an episode and the interview was cancelled.

@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455

6 жыл бұрын

he also co wrote Layla with Eric Clapton, making him at one time the wealthiest inmate in the California penal system. .

I think Pat Metheny had one by ECM. Watercolours. Good album. Sea Song, particularly.

@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455

5 жыл бұрын

Bright Size Life, Watercolors, Offramp, First Circle, all ECM.

@Lesiga1

5 жыл бұрын

@@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455 Pat Metheny Group, American Garage, New Chautauqua, As Falls Wichita Falls, 80/81, Rejoicing.... but you know this already . :)

Jan Hammer: "...and then he moved onto Miami Vice. WTF?!" Lol

It doesn't "sail under the radar"...

Ears, or sensibilities, vary. Codona would be the pick of the bunch for many here. Magico better in my view.. Price stickers on vinyl, shocking. Lighter fuel gets the off safely

@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455

6 жыл бұрын

Well well well. We all have opinions. Shocking!!

No weber?

Was K.J. "prickly" enough to be disowned entirely?

Hi, Could you recommend reissues or better trying to find originals? Thanks.

@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455

3 жыл бұрын

ECM has almost never reissued their catalog save a handful with in the last five years. And they just reissued Terje Rypdal's first 4 albums. So, you're much relegated to finding original LPs.

@koenraaddm2582

3 жыл бұрын

@@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455 Ok, thanks for the info.

There has been a overview "book done" on ECM...

@groovynut222

4 жыл бұрын

Literature Today UK Is that the one that’s £200ish online? I think that one was an exhibition book more than anything. There needs to be a history of the label for the general reader.

german pressings are more dynamic than the americans pressing

I’m not a fan of Paul Motion… I was sitting less than 4 foot away from Chet Baker at the Village Vanguard many years ago and Paul Motian was in the trio. All of a sudden shit got up out of his chair and started to scream at the top of his lungs at Motion and the gist of what he was upset about was he wanted to know who was the headliner tonight me or you… Chet told him to either play in the background or get the hell out. True story.

ECM = Manfred C Eicher...his initials backwards...pretty simple stuff.

@kenmicallefjazzvinylaudiop6455

2 жыл бұрын

incorrect. Edition Contemporary Music.

@Michael-xz1nk

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ken. I never knew that for decades.

@hvg3488

Жыл бұрын

Although Eicher Contemporary Music could apply..