Luminessence, ECM's new audiophile vinyl-reissue series, is a kaleidoscope, shedding light on the jewels of the label's deep catalogue in elegant, high-quality editions - audiophile vinyl pressing, high-grade tip-on gatefold sleeves that include new liner notes.
Recorded in March 1979, 'Saudades' was the culmination of Brazilian percussionist Nan? Vasconcelos's dream of hearing the berimbau in an orchestral context.
It was made possible through the creative input of Egberto Gismonti, here the arranger of the material for strings, as well as co-composer and supporting soloist. The Radio Symphony Orchestra Stuttgart was conducted by Mladen Gutesha (who had worked with ECM previously on trans-idiomatic projects with Keith Jarrett, Jan Garbarek and Terje Rypdal). Saudades remains an extraordinary journey, an ahead-of-its-time album, waiting for the world to catch up.
This vinyl reissue, in gatefold sleeve, adds new liner notes providing historical context and background information.
Nan? Vasconcelos: berimbau, percussion, gongs, voice
Egberto Gismonti: 8-string guitar
Members of Radio Symphony Orchestra Stuttgart, conducted by Mladen Gutesha.
