The First Quartet [3 CD];

John Abercrombie: guitars, mandolin; Richie Beirach: piano
George Mraz: double bass;
Peter Donald: drums

This 3-CD set with recordings from 1978 to 1980, issued in ECM s acclaimed Old & New Masters series, returns some historically-important material to the catalog, namely the albums Arcade, Abercrombie Quartet and M. The quartet with Richie Beirach, George Mraz and Peter Donald John Abercrombie s first touring band as a leader was the group in which the guitarist defined some priorities, moving away from a jazz-rock period into a more spacious, impressionistic and original music. Abercrombie and pianist Beirach had a strong musical rapport as improvisers and wrote almost all of the band s book between them. George Mraz and Peter Donald provided imaginative support. For this edition the recordings - made in Oslo and Ludwigsburg and produced by Manfred Eicher were remastered from original analog sources.

Disc 1
Recorded December 1978 Talent Studio, Oslo
Engineer: Jan Erik Kongshaug
AAD
Producer: Manfred Eicher

Disc 2
Recorded November 1979 Talent Studio, Oslo
Engineer: Jan Erik Kongshaug
AAD
Producer: Manfred Eicher

Disc 3
Recorded November 1980 Tonstudio Bauer, Ludwigsberg
Engineer: Martin Wieland
AAD
Producer: Manfred Eicher