Review of Gary Burton : Rarum, Vol. 4: Selected Recordings
Gary Burton's selection for ECM's rarum series anthologizes nine selections he recorded for the company between 1972 and 1987. Burton chose them himself (he also contributes an incisive and stylish essay surveying the music and the bands represented), and the result is an absorbing, wide-ranging portrait of his middle years, by the end of which he was well on the way to being the only vibist to seriously rival Milt Jackson. Amongst others he is joined by bassists Eberhard Weber and Steve Swallow, guitarists Mick Goodrick and Pat Metheny, and pianist Makoto Ozone--that last foreshadowing more recent collaborations--and the performances are in keeping with the musicians' heavyweight reputations. So consistent is the music despite its variety of mood and texture that it is difficult to nominate highlights, but the Charles Mingus composition "Duke Ellington's Sound of Love" is outstanding, as is "La Divetta" with Ozone and the excellent saxophonist Tommy Smith. The playing throughout is of the highest quality, transcending the somewhat dated quality of a few of the arrangements or conceptions, and in all respects that matter this is timeless fare. If you're new to Burton, this is the perfect introduction to a great jazzman, and so satisfying is the compilation that it is hardly less recommended to those who may have one or two of the tracks already. --Richard Palmer

Users's Reviews - Gary Burton : Another :rarum goodie
This disc includes nine tracks from 1973 to 1986 with Gary Burton in different group situations. The first track, "Four Or Less", is a quartet recording from the album "Gary Burton, The New Quartet". Gary Burton had just moved from New York to Boston and looked for musicians. Manfred Eicher had met Burton backstage after a concert, and he wanted him to record for ECM. That was the beginning of Burton's career with ECM which lasted for about 15 years.

The next track, recorded the following summer, is a sextet with among others Steve Swallow, Pat Metheny, and Eberhard Weber, and it's thus a strong band. The two next tracks is from the album "Dreams So Real", and it features two guitars - Pat Metheny plays a 12-string guitar, and Mick Goodrick plays an regular guitar, but it works. Tracks 7-9 is a bit different than the others in that they include a piano. Track 7 and 8 is from the album "Real Life Hits", which features Makoto Ozone on piano, Steve Swallow on bass, and Mike Hyman on drums. These last tracks is more like one would call "regular jazz", but all tracks on the cd gives a good overview of Gary Burton's music. Gary Burton has written 7 pages in the linear notes about his working with ECM and the groups; that's also gives the broad overview. I had never heard him play before, and if you're in that situation, it's a good idea to buy this release.

Your latest reviews - Gary Burton : Blissful, transcendent jazz
Not having heard the (apparently) inferior sound of the original recording, I'm struggling to imagine its problems. You see, the sound on this SACD hybrid is nothing short of ravishing, save, perhaps, for a slight thinness that occasionally crops up in relation to Corea's piano which, oddly, seems to lack the brilliance and sonority of the very best instruments. The sound image, apart from that small annoyance, is simply stunning for the rest of the instruments, especially Roy Haynes's drums, which snap, snarl, and bubble with consummate authority. Complaints about Metheny being underrecorded on the original disc, or there being a general lack of clarity, simply do not appertain.

As far as the the performances, this disc finds the players completely engaged and in finest conversational fettle. Whatever is called for--fleetness, emotion, group interaction--each member delivers, seemingly offhandedly, gracing the proceedings with a aura of musical authority that cannot be gainsaid. Indeed, the sheer fluidity, the ease of execution, belies jazz enacted at the very highest level of expression.

This transcendent disc has scarcely left my player since I recently acquired it. I'm convinced it represents a high point in the careers of all the players. Highest recommendation.