Luminessence, ECM’s new audiophile vinyl-reissue series, is a kaleidoscope, shedding light on the jewels of the label’s deep catalogue in elegant, high-quality editions. The hallmarks of the series, original and evocative music, imaginatively played and sensitively produced. The recordings underline the scope and variety of ECM’s world of sound and these LPs are now heralded as classics.

• ECM Luminessence Series
• Audiophile Vinyl LP
• Embossed Cover

Luminessence, ECM’s new audiophile vinyl-reissue series, is a kaleidoscope, shedding light on the jewels of the label’s deep catalogue in elegant, high-quality editions. The hallmarks of the series: original and evocative music, imaginatively played and sensitively produced. The recordings underline the scope and variety of ECM’s world of sound and the LPs are presented in different formats.

The series features albums that have changed perceptions of creative music making, albums now heralded as classics. Some are offered in exclusive facsimile editions, others framed in high-grade gatefolds that include new liner notes offering historical context and fresh perspectives, while again others have been long out of print or even never before released on vinyl. Many of the re-issues are cut from the original analog master tapes and all Luminessence releases incorporate the striking cover art which has contributed to ECM’s renown.

One of the defining sound-worlds of the past half-century of recorded music is the distinguished repertory of ECM Records, which was founded by the Munich musician and producer Manfred Eicher, in 1969. The ECM sound is a trademark of the times, crystalline and reverberant, conveying both the intimacy of live performance and the warmth of a concert space.

Mysterious, dramatic and alluring, Luminessence comes from a peak period in the creative association between Keith Jarrett and Jan Garbarek, recorded in 1974, immediately after their vibrant Belonging album. Here, Jarrett creates shimmering orchestral frameworks to spur Garbarek to some of his most concentrated, impassioned and expressive playing. “The melodies that Jarrett writes sound like Garbarek improvisations, so great is the rapport between the two men,” wrote Ian Carr in his  Keith Jarrett biography, while DownBeat, in a 5-star review, observed that “probing deep into his own personal musical cosmos, Jarrett has brought back a chilling and singular achievement that promises to stand as a landmark in the musical landscape of the 70s”. Produced by Manfred Eicher, the album that gives the Luminessence audiophile edition its name is augmented with new liner notes providing historical context.

RECORDED
April 1974, Tonstudio Bauer, Ludwigsburg

Musicians:

Jan Garbarek - Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone
Strings of Suedfunk Symphony Orchestra Stuttgart
Mladen Gutesha - Conductor

Track Listing:

1. Numinor (Keith Jarrett) 13:50
2. Windsong (Keith Jarrett) 06:29
3. Luminessence (Keith Jarrett) 15:18

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