Illusion Suite cover

Illusion Suite

Released

Stanley Cowell’s Illusion Suite is another ECM one-off that demands retrospective attention. This 1973 joint with bassist Stanley Clarke and drummer Jimmy Hopps finds the pianist and bandleader in a most comfortable (and comforting) mode. The timid strains of “Maimoun” betray none of the driving forces that follow it, tracing a pathway through arid vistas (“Ibn Mukhtarr Mustapha”), bop-infused detours (“Cal Massey”), and smooth moves (“Miss Viki”) without missing a beat. Nostalgic, thought-provoking, and tender, this is fantastic music from a gifted composer and performer that is blessedly available thanks to a digital reissue.

Tyran Grillo

Suggestions
The Lamp And The Star cover

The Lamp And The Star

Nels Cline, Hank Roberts, Aina Kemanis, Jeff Gauthier Goatette, Wayne Peet, Eric Essen, Alex Cline
Matinale cover

Matinale

Krakatau
Cantilena cover

Cantilena

First House
Prezens cover

Prezens

Tom Rainey, David Torn, Craig Taborn, Tim Berne
Portrait d'un Glacier cover

Portrait d'un Glacier

Lionel Marchetti
Balladyna cover

Balladyna

Tomasz Stańko, Edward Vesala, Dave Holland
Rec01 cover

Rec01

Collin Olan
Evening Falls cover

Evening Falls

Jacob Young