This recording, with the short lived ensemble Rubisa Patrol, may someday be considered as one of the classic ECM recordings of all time - if the company evers sees fit to issue it on CD. Some stunning compositions are present within a restrained, melodic concept, but please don't term it new age. While there is a spiritual quality present, it is not overbearing. Four of the pieces are written by acoustic pianist Art Lande, with the standout track "Corinthian Melodies" a thing of sheer opulent beauty. Trumpeter Mark Isham and Lande are the principal voices in this quartet, and the textures they conjure would set a precedent for what Isham would do for the bulk of his career in scoring for films. Bassist Bill Douglass and drummer Glenn Cronkhite are as sensitive a lower dynamic rhyhmic team as can be. This is contemporary improvised music non pariel, a relaxed, well-paced program that is here to soothe and reassure you. - Michael G. Nastos
Tracks
1. Celestial Guests (Chinese Traditional) / Many Chinas (Mark Isham)
2. Jaimi’s Birthday Song (Art Lande)
3. Romany (Glenn Cronkhite)
4. Bulgarian Folk Tune (Traditional)
5. Corinthian Melodies (Art Lande)
6. For Nancy (Mark Isham)
7. Jaimi’s Birthday Song (Art Lande)
8. A Monk In His Simple Room (Art Lande)
BILL DOUGLAS bass, flute, bamboo flute (Ti-Tzu)
GLENN CRONKHITE drums, percussion
ART LANDE piano
MARK ISHAM trumpet, flügelhorn, soprano saxophone
Recorded May 1976 Talent Studio, Oslo
ECM 1081 / ECM Records – 519 875-2