The Impulse Years 1973-1974 (Box Set)

The Keith Jarrett American quartet/quintet of the 1970s was arguably his finest group, a post-bop unit featuring the pianist/leader, tenor saxophonist Dewey Redman, bassist Charlie Haden, drummer Paul Motian, and sometimes Guilherme Franco and/or Danny Johnson on percussion. A highly recommended four-CD set traced the group's final Impulse! recordings of 1975-1976. This five-CD box from 1997 reissues all of the music from the sessions that resulted in Fort Yawuh (which is expanded to two CDs), Treasure Island, Death and the Flower, and Backhand. The 29 selections (some of which also include guitarist Sam Brown) include nine previously unreleased performances and three songs that are heard for the first time in expanded unedited versions. Although not reaching as many heights as the later Impulse! box, there are many strong moments. The music performed by this underrated group (which is heard at its best on the 22-and-a-half-minute "Death and the Flower" and "Inflight") is inside/outside, hinting at the avant-garde while not shy about using melodies and rhythms. Redman in particular was heard at his best with Jarrett's classic unit.