Search - Ralph Towner :: Batik

Historic Jazz Recording

william lenihan | Italy | 05/16/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are not sufficient words to describe the ECM recording, Batik by the great guitarist/pianist and composer Ralph Towner along with his cohorts Eddie Gomez and Jack DeJohnette. This unusual music speaks like all great music, beyond our linguistic boundaries. Anyone who has experienced the great flow of jazz music from the the 1960's and 70's before the breakdown of jazz into stylized historicisms will understand the profundity of this recording. Ralph Towner, who artistically managed to find his personal voice within the worlds of modern european classical music, modern jazz and non-western music of sorts, recorded a masterpiece of improvised music with Batik. The flow of energy and the great precision with which he plays along with his legendary partners, is extraordinary. This collection of music is probably identified correctly as Towner's most 'jazz' recording. For newcomer listeners to jazz, it should be noted that Towner comes from a period in jazz when the music was fully expanding and had not the cultural and economic restraints which characterize much of the popular output of jazz recordings at this writing.
The music on Batik is truly a heavenly experience of great composition - like no other, great playing, and the kind of communication among the musicians only heard in the likes of the Bill Evans trio of the early 1960's and of the great Miles Davis band of the same period. This music though, is truly original in concept and in sound, and yet strangely enough, no school of playing seems to have come from it. It stands alone. I highly reccommend the recording for all thoughtful listeners who desire music played with a sense of mystery, an unidentifiable unity of message and superb musicianship. It is truly a work of art in jazz and improvised music."

Why so expensive?

Jeffrey D. Kenyon | USA | 10/19/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Musically, this is not my favorite Towner album: "Solo Concert" and "Diary", are still, IMHO, better. Agreed, Waterwheel and Trellis are great tracks. But why on earth is a single CD with ~45 minutes of music so expensive? I understand it's an export (from Germany), but I had been under the impression that we had pretty much licked that whole trans-Atlantic shipping thing. Is ECM limited to smuggling discs into the U.S. via Manfred Eicher's suitcase? If I thought Towner, Gomez, and DeJohnette were getting $30 off the top, I would have no problem with the high price, but I doubt that's the case."

In praise of "Waterwheel"

greg DOBROV | chicago, IL USA | 05/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The reviews posted here are articulate and compelling. I can add little along general lines, so I'll be specific. The opening track is one of the best things Towner has ever done. "Waterwheel" is a hypnotic chant delivered by Towner, Gomez and DeJohnette in one of RT's favorite odd meters (11/8). It has a powerful "take you away" energy that will inspire you to see distant and beautiful landscapes of the sort made famous by the ECM jacket art. Simply Transcendent."