Magico means magic, magician, or magical in several languages, including Italian, Portuguese, Romanian and Spanish. It is defined as "something that has a delightfully unusual quality or something exciting and wonderful." The aptly named Magico is a wonderful ECM recording featuring three remarkably connected virtuoso musicians, saxophonist Jan Garbarek, guitarist Egberto Gismonti, and bassist Charlie Haden. The album perfectly displays how this magical trio, these three distinct voices blend so effortlessly to create something truly beautiful, magical. The collective improvisation and confident interplay between these three contrasting musical personalities is truly something special and not to be missed. In fact, if you enjoy this album, you may want to seek out the trios other ECM dates as well, those being Folk Songs and Carta de Amor, a live recording from April of 1981. - George Zandona
Perhaps it was the presence of bassist Charlie Haden, but this trio set has more energy than one normally associates with the other members of the group (Jan Garbarek on tenor and soprano and Egberto Gismonti doubling on guitar and piano). The trio performs group originals and an obscurity during the picturesque and continually interesting release; this combination works well. - Scott Yanow
Tracks
01. Bailarina (G. E. Carneiro/P. Reis)
02. Magico (E. Gismonti)
03. Silence (C. Haden)
04. Spor (J. Garbarek)
05. Palhaço (E. Gismonti)
CHARLIE HADEN bass
EGBERTO GISMONTI guitar, piano
JAN GARBAREK saxophone
Recorded June 1979 at Talent Studio, Oslo
ECM Records – ECM 1151