WHENEVER I SEEM TO BE FAR AWAY

This is one of early solo album from Norwegian guitarist Terje Rypdal. He played with Jan Garbarek before ( and with many others before and later as well). Just three long compositions, played by Terje guitar, electric jazz fusion band and symphonic orchestra.

Rypdal's guitar technique always was unique, so it's difficult to compare it with any other guitar player. It's interesting, that he combines rock jamming roots ( Jimi Hendrix) with Nordic jazz school and classic minimalism.

Whenever ECM recording, sound is very clear and airy, even orchestra is placed on back-up, no over-orchestration or overproduction there. It's difficult to describe music of this album in standard categories. Most obviously it is European experimental sound ,which combines electric free-jazz, jazz-rock fusion elements and neo-symphonic orchestration. Atmosphere is cool, plenty of free space for sounds and your imagination. I can imagine this album as Miles Davis electric period work with orchestra, but just transformed in very European ground.

Very nice and interesting music, but quite free-form and not very rock-influenced. No drums and almost no rhythm at all. Liquid sound. So, you can decide if you will be interested by this album. But for fans of such kind of music this album is really great work.