Steve Tibbetts
Yr
ECM Records (US) 1988
ECM 1355/835 245-1 (LP)
sleeve : M(IN SHRINK,CO)
media : M/M
Featured in both the first and revised editions of the guidebook Obscure Sound. A masterpiece by Steve Tibbetts, the singular and extraordinary guitarist from Minneapolis, originally self-released as his second album in 1980 and later licensed by ECM, the world-renowned independent jazz label, for this 1988 edition. Layers of ecstatic guitar overdubs, Marc Anderson’s primitive percussion, and repeated movements between stillness and motion combine to evoke the workings of the natural world itself. It is striking to realize that Tibbetts’ distinctive musical universe was already fully formed on this album—a deeply passionate and spiritual work from beginning to end. The sound quality is also extraordinary, with each instrument appearing almost three-dimensionally in front of the listener. The original private pressing had a much punchier sonic character, while this edition has been cut with the kind of subtlety and refinement that immediately brings the classic ECM sound to mind. Highly recommended.
Deadstock, unplayed copy, opened from its original shrink wrap at our store solely to check the condition.
A1: Ur
A2: Sphexes
B2: You and It