Jan Garbarek
All Those Born with Wings
ECM Records/Polygram (US) 1987
ECM 1324 (LP)
sleeve : EX(wear on corner.)
media : EX/EX(some slightly noises.)
This album, released in 1987 by Norwegian reed player Jan Garbarek—renowned for numerous masterpieces on the ECM label—is a fully solo work, created entirely through overdubbing his own performances. Structured as an extended suite comprising six tracks (three per side), it’s a deeply immersive experience. Blending Asian-inspired scales with soaring soprano saxophone melodies, primitive choral work, and atmospheric, drone-ambient textures, Garbarek conjures a profound spiritual world—like a dense fog settling over the forests of Norway. The result is overwhelming, an audio landscape that evokes deep introspection and mysticism. The music paints vivid illusions—like an abstract painter working in sound—and truly defies comparison. It can only be described as Garbarek's music. ECM's brilliance lies in its boldness to release works like this. Whether or not they knewhow bold it was... that's another question. Highly recommended.