JOHN ABERCROMBIE / QUARTET 1985 AND DUO 1984 (1CDR)

QUARTET AT PERUGIA JAZZ FESTIVAL 1985
Recorded live at Jazzfest Perugia, Italy, July 1985
Excellent soundboard recording // 52 min
John Abercrombie – electric guitar, guitar synthesizer
Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
Marc Johnson – bass
Peter Erskine – drums

1. BASS DESIRES
2. HIPPITYVILLE
3. ALICE IN WONDERLAND
4. MY ONE AND ONLY LOVE
5. SAMURAI HEE HAW

DUO IN MARTINIQUE 1984
Recorded live in Martinique, France, December 10, 1984
Excellent soundboard recording // 23 min
John Abercrombie – guitar
Ralph Towner – guitar

6. MANDO MADNESS

This collection features live performances by John Abercrombie from the mid-1980s. While perhaps less familiar to rock fans, Abercrombie is a guitarist best known for his work on the ECM label. Unusually for a jazz musician, his signature guitar sound incorporates spatial effects—such as chorus—to create an expansive, atmospheric quality. The release pairs two live sets; the centerpiece is a 1985 festival performance by a stellar quartet, featuring Michael Brecker—a name likely recognized even by rock fans—alongside bassist Marc Johnson (who played with Bill Evans in his later years) and drummer Peter Erskine (well-known for his tenure with Weather Report). Here, Abercrombie also utilizes a guitar synthesizer, showcasing an experimental, jazz-rock-oriented approach. The second set is a duo performance with Ralph Towner—a pairing of two of ECM’s premier artists. Although it consists of only one track, it is an extended piece lasting nearly 24 minutes; the two guitars are panned to the left and right, making for a very accessible and clear listening experience. Based on the audio, it appears that Abercrombie is positioned in the right channel. All of these are soundboard recordings—easy to listen to and accessible even for those new to collecting CDs.