Classic Recordings, Keith Jarrett Quartet featuring Jan Garbarek - Belonging

Fifty years after its release, Belonging remains a landmark in jazz history, capturing the rise of Keith Jarrett's European quartet. This celebrated album, which resulted from ECM founder Manfred Eicher’s suggestion that Jarrett pair with Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek, reveals a synergy that helped to shape European jazz for decades to come. Jarrett, a former child prodigy who first gained prominence in the 1960s with Charles Lloyd and Miles Davis, is revered for his boundary-pushing solo work, particularly The Köln Concert, the best-selling piano album of all time. His career spans an array of musical styles, blending jazz, classical, and world music influences with a unique touch.Garbarek, meanwhile, is known for his distinctive saxophone tone, merging jazz with Nordic folk elements that have inspired countless musicians and transformed the European jazz landscape. His collaborations across genres and numerous albums reflect a deeply personal voice and innovative approach to improvisation. The two first crossed paths in 1966 in Oslo, where Jarrett was playing with Charles Lloyd’s quartet, and mutual admiration quickly blossomed into a lasting creative partnership.

The recording session for Belonging, held over two days in Oslo in 1974, was a model of spontaneity and efficiency. Remarkably, each track was captured in a single take, with bassist Palle Danielsson and drummer Jon Christensen sight-reading the music on the spot. Jarrett’s emphasis on first takes—a practice he embraced after working with Miles Davis—imbues the album with freshness and vitality while maintaining polish.Opening with 'Spiral Dance,' the album launches into a high-energy, sinuous melody as Garbarek’s muscular tenor tone combines with Jarrett’s intensity. The contrast comes with 'Blossom,' a softer, heartwarming piece led by Jarrett’s lush piano, allowing Garbarek to explore a gentler tone. Each member of the quartet finds space to add their voice, creating a contemplative, interconnected sound.

'Long as You Know You’re Living Yours' stands out for its gospel-infused character, which inspired Steely Dan’s 'Gaucho.' This similarity led to a legal dispute resolved in Jarrett’s favor, marking a testament to the quartet’s cross-genre influence. In 'Belonging,' the album’s title track, a statuesque piano intro leads into Garbarek’s reflective saxophone, creating a moment of pensive beauty.

'The Windup' introduces gospel and blues touches in a fun, melodic interplay that bursts into a powerful improvisation. The closing track, 'Solstice,' is the album’s longest, blending classical and jazz elements in an experimental exploration marked by Garbarek’s sharp tone and intricate polyrhythms from Danielsson and Christensen.

ECM’s 'open space acoustics' enhances Belonging with striking clarity and definition, bringing out the natural resonance of each instrument. This spatial approach captures the dynamic range and intricate interplay between the musicians, adding depth and emotional intensity. Belonging stands as a pivotal album, showcasing the quartet’s artistry and Jarrett’s innovative composition, cementing its place as a cornerstone in jazz history, resonating across generations and geographies.