This surprising 1984 effort from John Abercrombiefinds the guitarist in conversation with Jan Hammer, Jack DeJohnette, and Mike Brecker. The lack of a bassist on this session is not felt; the spaciousness of the music and the masterful playing of all parties involved keep the focus clearly on the melodies, both scripted and improvised. This can best be heard on the title track, a lovely, tear-wrenching ballad. On some of the more up-tempo tracks, Hammercovers the bass end with his keyboards almost like he is taking part in an organ trio. Unlike the high-velocity fusion that Hammer is best known for in his work with the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Al Dimeola, and elsewhere, his work on Nightis highly subdued. In fact, his playing is one of the most pleasant things about this record. It's nice to hear him doing something other than blaring away at a million miles a minute. He really is an excellent keyboardist, and his range is often underappreciated. However, the excellent compositions by Hammerand Abercrombieare the strongest thing about Night. One of the best is the opener, "Ethereggae," which features an incredible guitar solo over a sparse, haunting synth figure and DeJohnette’s incomparable comping. When Breckeradds his pointed, searching tenor, the despair and loneliness of the music are almost too much to bear. This record is the kind of album that one would like to hear while enjoying a late-night cigarette on the roof of a Manhattan apartment. Moody, atmospheric, and beautiful. - Daniel Gioffre
Tracks
1. Ethereggae (Jan Hammer)
2. Night (John Abercrombie)
3. 3 East (John Abercrombie)
4. Look Around (John Abercrombie)
5. Believe You Me (John Abercrombie)
6. Four On One (John Abercrombie)
JOHN ABERCROMBIE guitar
JACK DeJOHNETTE drums
JAN HAMMER keyboards
MICHAEL BRECKER tenor saxophone
Recorded April 1984 at Power Station, New York
ECM Records - ECM 1272