TERJE RYPDAL / MIROSLAV VITOUS / JACK DeJOHNETTE - Terje Rypdal, Miroslav Vitous, Jack DeJohnette (1979-2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

An otherworldly soundscape of aching beauty, this album is a must-have for aficionados of any member of this trio. Rypdal's guitar is hauntingly reverbed and distant throughout, though occasionally on "Seasons" he becomes too fond of caterwauling guitar synth. But this is truly an effort of trio fusion, with ineffable pieces like "Den Forste Sne" ("The First Snow") appearing and melting away without any tangible solos or structure. From the opening cymbal strikes of "Sunrise," this album is marked by DeJohnette's best drumming on record; his cymbal sound, pushed to the front and recorded with mikes both above and below the cymbal's bell -- "because that's how the drummer hears it" -- is nothing short of revelatory. Vitous' bass steadies Rypdal's flights of fancy, while his subtle electric piano lines float above. These elements combine most powerfully in "Believer," which builds from atmospheric shimmers of electric piano into a whorl of bass and plaintive guitar set against the dry rasp of resonating cymbals. by Paul Collins
Tracklist:
1 Sunrise 8:26
Written-By – Rypdal
2 Den Forste Sne 6:35
Written-By – Rypdal
3 Will 8:01
Written-By – Vitous
4 Believer 6:23
Written-By – Vitous
5 Flight 5:25
Written-By – DeJohnette, Vitous, Rypdal
6 Seasons 7:22
Written-By – DeJohnette, Vitous, Rypdal
Credits:
Double Bass, Electric Piano – Miroslav Vitous
Drums – Jack DeJohnette
Guitar, Guitar Synthesizer, Organ – Terje Rypdal
Producer – Manfred Eicher

TERJE RYPDAL / MIROSLAV VITOUS / JACK DeJOHNETTE - To Be Continued (1981) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Essentially a continuation of Rypdal Vitous DeJohnette, this album somewhat lacks the atmospheric keyboards of its predecessor. It is nonetheless quite compelling, particularly in DeJohnette's propulsive drumming on the title track, and his phantasmic piano and voice on "Uncomposed Appendix." This album also features one of Rypdal's best-loved works, the gorgeously stark and stately "Topplue, Votter & Skjerf" -- Norwegian for "Hat, gloves, and scarf," an idiomatic phrase implying the onset of their long and cold winter. by Paul Collins
Tracklist:
1. Maya 6:17
Written-By – Rypdal
2. Mountain In The Clouds 4:57
Written-By – Vitous
3. Morning Lake 7:21
Written-By – Vitous
4. To Be Continued 9:11
Written-By – DeJohnette
5. This Morning 5:22
Written-By – DeJohnette, Vitous, Rypdal
6. Topplue, Votter & Skjerf 3:47
Written-By – Rypdal
7. Uncomposed Appendix 1:50
Credits:
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – Miroslav Vitous
Drums [Sonor Drums, Paiste Cymbals] – Jack DeJohnette
Electric Guitar [Electric Guitars] – Terje Rypdal
Flute – Terje Rypdal (tracks: 4)
Piano – Miroslav Vitous (tracks: 3)
Producer – Manfred Eicher
Voice – Jack DeJohnette (tracks: 7)