JOHN ABERCROMBIE QUARTET: ARCADE

Sublime. Ethereal. Poignant. Heartfelt. Spacey. Arcade is an unheralded triumph. It possesses a healing, soothing, and almost spiritual quality.

This is not really jazz/rock or fusion, but rather a type of progressive jazz that only the ECM label seems able to do in this way and on this level. The title song, and opener, sets the pace from the start. Abercrombie's guitar rings out in single notes with simplicity and emotion. There are possible comparisons with his style and say that of Pat Metheny or even Carlos Santana (during the Welcome era), but Abercrombie plies his own much deeper and riskier waters.

Ritchie Bierach's piano is a perfect compliment to Abercrombie's atmospheric excursions, yet all the musicians completely mesh with his sound to allow John to drift endlessly above the fray. Do not expect to find standard bass lines or timekeeper style percussion here, instead you will find only gentle chattiness and delicately responsive jazziness.

Regardless of the fact that electric instruments are at work here, there is an acoustic feel to Arcade. There are no compromises, and though the music is totally non-traditional it is very straight up. No special effects or noisy clutter are in evidence here, just raw feeling and generous teamwork between the players, as they provide a canvas for John to paint on. Peter Donald's work on the drum kit is truly inspiring, and George Mraz's bass follows Abercrombie without mimicking him.

It is a very personal record to me, and it holds a permanent place in my heart and head. It is never boring and will grow on you with repeated listening.

3.5 stars. I really like John Abercrombie and highly recommend his "Timeless" and first "Gateway" albums. An ECM staple this would be Abercrombie's first studio album of seven under the name JOHN ABERCROMBIE QUARTET. We get besides John's guitar and mandolin, bass, drums and piano. And in the ECM tradition this is a classy and mellow release with the bass and piano being acoustic. I'm just not big on this style but I have to mention that title track because it bumps up my rating and appreciation of this one. It's fairly similar to the other songs early on with the relaxed piano and guitar but it's the drumming that is so loose that has my attention. So good! Then we get some intensity which will come and go that is so enjoyable and really only appears on this song. Classy music from one of the greats.