Record Reviews

GARY BURTON ~ THE NEW QUARTET ECM 1030 (Barcode: 602567431152) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1973 Released: 2019 This is a reissue of the debut album as a leader by American Jazz vibraphonist / composer Gary BurtonFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with guitarist Mick GoodrickFind albums by this artist, bassist Abraham LaborielFind albums by this artist and drummer Harry BlazerFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, one of which is an original composition by Burton, two were British composer Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist, one was by British pianist / composer Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist and finally one each was by American musicians / composers Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist, Keith JarrettFind albums by this artist and Carly BleyFind albums by this artist, all of the above (except Beck) Burton cooperated with at some time in his career. This was the first album as a leader by Burton on the ECMFind albums on this label label, but he did release his debut coleader album with Chick Corea on ECM “Crystal SilenceFind albums with this title” earlier in 1973. The same year he recorder the legendary coleader album with Michael Gibbs, called “In The Public InterestFind albums with this title” (Goodrick plays on it), and soon after recorded another album with Gibbs for the ECM label, called “Seven Songs For Quartet and Chamber OrchestraFind albums with this title” (Goodrick also plays on it). All this explains a lot about the lineup and the material included on this album. Burton’s move to the European ECM label was largely influenced by his growing affinity towards European Jazz and its aesthetics, which were much closer to his personal taste in music than the stagnant American scene. His meeting with European musicians and composers opened a lot of new opportunities and horizons, and his connection with ECM lasted until mid-1980s, when ECM started to lose its ambitious direction. The music is of course absolutely gorgeous, from start to finish. The intimate dialogues between Burton and Goodrick are blood-curdling, and the somewhat mysterious atmospheric music is enthralling for the entire duration. Overall, this is a brilliant album, a must-have in any serious Jazz records collection and a highly document of Burton’s career in the early 1970s and his association with ECM. Goodrick’s guitar work is also exceptional and considering his rather limited discography, this is quite a gem.

Updated: 16/07/2025Posted: 12/07/2025

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