Visible World

This album from 1995 sees Jan Garbarek in contemplative mode in the company of Rainer Bruninghaus on keyboards, Eberhard Weber on bass, Marilyn Mazur on percussion/drums, Manu Katche on drums; Trilok Gurtu on tabla and Mari Boine provides vocals on two of the tracks; Garbarek plays soprano/tenor saxes, Meraaker clarinet, keyboards and percussion.It has a folky feel in some of the themes, but in general it's fairly uncategorisable stuff; some may feel it's too easy-listening in approach but there's a beauty to the music and a searching quality to the soloing (characteristic of his playing) that gives it more depth than it's apparent easy accessibility might lead one to assume.Some of the compositions were written as film music - which in a way explains the overall ambiance of the disc; it's not what I'd class as essential Garbarek, but it's still a very decent album and well worth acquiring.4 ½ stars, ideally.The CD has a playing time of 76.15 minutes – go to the mp3 download page to hear the sound samples.

I remember walking into Ray's Jazz (when he had his own shop) and buying this for the cover. I must have been inspired, I'm on my second copy and I can't even say that about Jarrett or Svensson...

All was very efficient and the product was in excellent condition. Recommend product to those who enjoy other-world music. Relaxing and inspiring.

The first 30 seconds of this sold it for me: 'Red Wind' opens with a richly insistent rhythm and melody line laid down by Katche and Mazur's crisp percussion, and the warmth of Weber's caressing bass, deepened by Bruninghaus' keyboard word, followed by the introduction of Garbarek's lyrical, searching sax. A superb opener.Thereafter, I found that some tracks didn't maintain such a high standard: I found the 'Desolate Mountains' trilogy unsatisfactory, with Garbarek's clarinet work irritating, and lacking development. Having said that, the bulk of the tracks here are well up to strength, with 'Pygmy Lullaby' a particular standout. The rhythm section throughout lend a tightness and crispness to the tracks, which appear to convey a greater urgency to much of Garbarek's playing, with the notable exception already mentioned. A good, accessible album.

Absolutely wonderful.

Despite what other reviewers have written I found this album far too orthodox. This was my first experience of Garbarek - I was led here from Nils Petter Molvaer - and I was expecting ambient, minimalism; and admittedly this album does deliver ambient minimalism in places, but there is far too much dinner music interspersed to make this an enjoyable album.A few of the more minimalist tracks are fantastic ('Desolate Mountains I' in particular), but there's just not enough of these kind of tracks; and even when one does come along the moment is ruined by the next track more often than not creating a massive juxtaposition. I am not opposed to juxtapositions if they work, but they don't work here.The worst track for my money is 'Survivor', which sounds like something off a panpipe moods album, but played on the sax.The flashes of brilliance mean that I am still tempted to try another Garbarek record, but I won't be forking out too much of my hard-earned for it.

One of the best by one of the best. Garbarek ranks with Pollini, Kremer, and Maisky.

Not being a fan of free form improvised jazz, I arrived at this album via 'Officium', which I found, in small doses, brilliant. This does not disappoint! 'Red Wind', 'The Healing Smoke' and 'The Quest' in particular are exceptional, they lift the spirits. If, like me, you enjoy making your own MP3 compilations, then take these three tracks add in a couple of songs from the aforementioned 'Officium' and the later 'Mnemosyne', then buy his 'Rites' album, from that take 'Rites', Pan', 'We Are the Stars' and 'Last Rite'. Finally take 'Tongue Of Secrets' from the earlier 'Legend Of The Seven Dreams' album, make your own playing order and, trust me, you have the (almost) perfect ambient chill experience. Whether you investigate other albums by Garbarek is down to your taste in music, but 'Visible World' and the other albums mentioned here are superb.