Customer Reviews

Red Lanta

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an underappreciated disc, nicely described by the first reviewer. It has largely been critiqued by the jazz field, and it's really more a recording of improvised baroque settings than jazz. It succeeds utterly in that light and has several pieces of (dare I say) ravishing beauty, most notably "Quintennaissance" and "Awakening- Midweek". The latter is one of the prettiest and emotive pieces I've ever heard, something I'd dare to compare with Barber's "Adagio" for sheer beauty. If you enjoy both jazz and chamber musics, you'll probably listen to this often. Only when reviewed as jazz or classical alone does it warrant less than the highest rating.

Listening to this CD of piano and flute or saxophone music is a great way to start the day. I have the first cut "Quintennaissance" cued up on my CD/alarm clock to wake me up every morning. The opening flute work IS the sound of birds singing. Art Lande's piano work here also conjures up a morning in the woods. Simply beautiful. Cut 5 "Verdulac" uses saxes with the piano to paint an emotional tone poem. It is also intense and lyrical. The two musicians balance each other well. This is exciting music! All the compositions are by Mr. Lande, and have a similar feel. "Awakening - Midweek" could also find its way on my CD/alarm clock, it is a pensive flute/piano piece that is very relaxing, and has an almost a classical feel. The whole CD has an "artsy" feel that would be very much at home being played on a sound system in a art gallery. These are two very talented musicians showing off their considerable skills. Overall an enjoyable, thoughtful listening experience. The sound of the recording is top notch, too.

I like the phrase that one reviewer used- "improvised baroque". That certainly captures the first cut. But the second is certainly jazz to my ears, as is much of the album. This is beautiful, moving music that never descends into the banal, as does so much "New Age" muzak. Lande and Garbarak move from very consonant harmony into dissonant, sometimes jarring harmony, against a harmonic and rhythmic backgound that might put you in mind of some of Bill Evans' work, or even some of Chopin's Nocturnes, and the result is magic.

This album was my introduction to the ECM catalogue- and to Garbarek- back in the 1980s, and it still sounds fresh to my ears. My LP was destroyed in an apartment fire back then, so it's great to see it available again on CD.

Sophisticated, brilliant, gorgeous, breathtaking, timeless art of the
highest order. I remember listening to this back in college when it
first came out on ECM. I used to play this back to back with Egberto
Gismonti's "Danca Das Cabecas" album, another staggeringly beautiful
ECM recording from the 70's. Lande and Garbarek on "Red Lanta" create
art and visions so unforgettable, it demands listen after listen to totally
grasp the depth, power, and beauty of their performances. An absolutely
magnificent and haunting work of art by two masters. One of Lande's
compositions, in particular, "Awakening Midweek", an extended work of
incredible beauty and depth (with Garbarek on flute), is one of the most
brilliant pieces of music I've ever heard. Pure genius in its scope, vision,
and moods. It never ceases to amaze me even now when I listen to it.
"Miss Fortune", another brilliant composition by Lande, is also breath-
taking in its sensitivity and beauty, and is my other favorite from "Red
Lanta". The closing track, "Cherifen Dream of Renate", with Garbarek on
an intensely emotional flute solo, will stay with you FOREVER. The entire
recording is a classic ECM masterpiece and remains so to this day. For
sheer perfection, beauty, and depth, I cannot recommend this work of art
enough. Art Lande, composer, on piano and Jan Garbarek on saxes and
flutes. How many stars are in the universe? That's my rating. Thank
you Manfred Eicher for producing this and for discovering artists such as
these two giants. It is also brilliantly recorded. Incredible beyond words.

This is one of my favorite ECM albums. It is thoughtful, reflective (and occasionally fiery), and for the most part, has a dreamy specificity all its own. I once mentioned my affection for this old gem to Art Lande, who replied dismissively, "Oh,that old thing..." Well, sometimes even the artists themselves don't recognize a brilliant effort. I still love this CD and come back to it on occasion. I once transcribed the opening tune, Quintennaisance" a neo-classical piece written as the title suggests in 5/4. It sums up the whole album, austere, understated music with a strong structure and nice sections for improvisation. Music for a quiet sunday morning, rainy day or to watch the light fade at twilight. Nothing Nude Age about it. ANd its great to hear Jan Garbarek in such a delicate mood. It is also to my knowledge the only recording of Mr Garbarek playing flute. What he doesn't have in tone he more than makes up for in ideas and freedom. A must have.

This music is not jazz although is it improvisational. It does not sustain swing rhythms in any significant way or feature blues-based harmonies or diatonic melodies. The compositions are tuneful and challenging miniatures consisting of single, whole themes that undergo development, sometimes extensively, such as in Awakening - Midweek, which moves laterally through a series of emotional and intellectual changes to end up in an entirely different place than it began.

The playing by Lande and Garbarek is consistently precise and expert, and the artistry is at a very high level throughout. They capture and channel emotions and thoughts with exactness over a broad range of moods within a contemplative nature-like setting. The playing achieves great intimacy and rewards close involvement by the listener.

This should not be confused with banal "pretty music". It far transcends the safety of bland tonal emotionalism and reaches inspired heights of beauty. It's one of my personal favorites.