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Contents Introduction [July Pre-order] [SHM-CD] [Semi-New Release / Encore Press] [This year marks the 55th anniversary of ECM's founding!] Founded in 1969 in Munich, Germany by the unparalleled charismatic producer Manfred Eicher, ECM (short for "Edition of Contemporary Music") is one of Europe's leading jazz labels. The label's founding concept was "music that is the next most beautiful thing after silence." Its transparent sound, clear tone, and sophisticated, beautiful jacket designs set it apart from other labels and have captivated many fans around the world. It has produced numerous jazz masterpieces such as Keith Jarrett's "The K?ln Concert" (1975), Chick Corea's "Return to Forever" (1972), and Pat Metheny's "Bright Size Life" (1976). In 1984, it expanded its genres and entered the classical music world. ECM has launched the "ECM New Series," which focuses on contemporary music, and has released new works by Arvo P?rt, Gidon Kremer, Heinz Holliger, and others. Eicher, who turned 80 last year, continues to record more than 20 new albums a year, making it one of the most active labels pursuing music. In conjunction with the release of the new series "ECM Revisits," commemorating the 55th anniversary of ECM's founding, the "ECM in the 21st Century" series, originally released in 2022, is being repressed. This series introduces the current state of ECM, focusing on artists who are currently at the forefront of the music scene. This is the 2013 ECM debut album by Aaron Parks, a pianist/composer who joined Terence Blanchard's band at the age of 18 and has since been in high demand by many leading musicians. A solo piano work inspired by Bart?k's reinterpretation of traditional folk songs, and Paul Bley's album "Open, to Love," which has a vulnerable and naked feel, as if the pianist is playing only for himself. Almost nothing was planned in advance; it was all improvised in the studio. Recorded in the warm and clear acoustics of Mechanics Hall in Worcester, Massachusetts, with the lighting kept low, it is extremely personal and intimate music. It is as if Parks himself is whispering the melodies.
Aaron Parks (p) Recorded in December 2012 at Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts Media reviews and more Aaron Parks, a pianist/composer who joined Terence Blanchard's band at the age of 18 and has since been in high demand by leading musicians, releases his ECM debut album in 2013. A reinterpretation of traditional folk songs by Bart?k, this solo piano work was inspired by Paul Bley's album "Open, to Love," which has a vulnerable and naked feel, as if the pianist is playing just for himself. Almost nothing was pre-planned; it was all improvised in the studio. Recorded in the warm, clear acoustics of Mechanics Hall in Worcester, Massachusetts, with the lighting kept low, the music is extremely personal and intimate. It's as if Parks himself is whispering the melodies. (C)RS
