In 1979,
ECM released Magico and Folk Songs, two gorgeous albums by the creative trio of saxophonist
Jan Garbarek, guitarist/pianist
Egberto Gismonti, and bassist
Charlie Haden.
Magico: Carta de Amor is a double-disc recorded live in 1981 in Munich which has been sitting in
ECM's vaults until now. The recording features a seasoned band in full command of a shared musical language developed after an extended period touring together. It contrasts sharply with the work they issued as individual players during this era:
Garbarek's Eventyr in 1980 and Paths and Prints in 1981,
Gismonti's Frevo (1980), and Sanfona and En Familia (1981), and
Haden's collaborations with
Old and New Dreams,
Ornette Coleman, and
Pat Metheny. The material here features five iconic
Gismonti compositions -- yet only "Palhaço" appears on this trio's studio albums.
Haden’s 16-minute "La Pasionaria," a number closely associated with his Liberation Music Orchestra, is presented in a glorious trio version. It features intense, forceful playing by
Garbarek which contrasts with
Gismonti's spacious guitar playing.
Garbarek's own "Spor," which also appeared on the trio's studio album Magico, is presented as a more elliptical group improvisation here.
Haden's high-pitched bowing adds a tinge of the otherworldly, while
Garbarek's voice is simultaneously emotive and icy.
Gismonti's pianism is given an ample showcase on "Palhaço" and
Haden's "All That Is Beautiful," the latter with lovely, ethereal soprano work from
Garbarek. The bassist's "Two Folk Songs" is given an urgent, dark-tinged, exotic treatment thanks in no small part to
Gismonti's virtuoso 12-string playing and
Haden's elegant yet propulsive push at the melody articulated by
Garbarek's soprano. It differs considerably from the version he presented on
Metheny's 80/81. "Folk Song," from the trio's Folk Songs album, is a group improvisation based on a traditional hymn, but moves far afield with startling guitar effects and soprano soloing. Like
Keith Jarrett's Sleeper, a live quartet date from 1979 that also saw the light of day from
ECM in 2012,
Magico: Carta de Amor is a musical treasure trove that features three players from three continents working in near-symbiotic dialogue, offering music that showcases compositional and improvisational mastery, yet transcends the limitations of genre classification. ~ Thom Jurek