1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hard to find and currently import only..., April 21, 2011
Though perhaps not quite scaling the heights achieved with 'Death & The Flower' - and undoubtedly inferior in terms of production - 'Mysteries' is another overlooked and hard-to-find Keith Jarrett album from the 1970s. It features four studio performances by the legendary 'American Quartet', comprised of Jarrett, Charlie Haden, Dewey Redman and Paul Motian. For the making of this album, the group was appended by percussionist Guilherme Franco.
In all honesty, I feel that the so-called 'progressive' or 'long-form' nature of American Quartet's music - as found on Mysteries - was better realised in the two albums that the group made for ECM Records; 'The Survivors' Suite' and 'Eyes of The Heart'. And again, the production is superior in those records too. However, Mysteries is a forgotten part of the Jarrett jigsaw and it's time it and the other 1970s Impulse albums received wider recognition! Surely there is commercial sense in reissuing, for Jarrett is one of the best known names in jazz.
I own the recent Japanese reissue of 'Byablue' and it's a beautiful package. The 2009 'Treasure Island' reissue from Verve Music Group is absolutely terrific. It would be wonderful to see the balance of albums similarly treated, such as 'Death & The Flower', 'Back Hand', 'Bop-Be', 'Byablue' and 'Shades'. Thankfully, a 1999 edition of 'Fort Yawuh' is readily available, an album that documents the American Quartet in concert. Plus, Beat Goes On Records have reissued Death & The Flower.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
