| Azimuth '85 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1985 | |||
| Recorded | March 1985 | |||
| Studio | Rainbow Studios Oslo, Norway | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 44:19 | |||
| Label | ECM ECM 1298 | |||
| Producer | Manfred Eicher | |||
| Azimuth chronology | ||||
| ||||
Azimuth '85 is the fourth and penultimate album by British jazz trio Azimuth recorded in March 1985 and released on ECM later that year. The trio features pianist John Taylor, vocalist Norma Winstone, and trumpeter Kenny Wheeler. [1]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| The Penguin Guide to Jazz | [3] |
The AllMusic review by Michael G. Nastos states, "It's an acquired taste, but if you do, you'll not let go." [2]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings expressed disappointment, calling Azimuth '85 "an unconfident step back", and stating the band "fell into the trap ... of letting a style become a manner". [3]
Tyran Grillo, writing for ECM blog Between Sound and Space, called the album "Azimuth's zenith and another significant chapter of ECM’s backstory," and commented: "Essential for many reasons, not least of all for Taylor, who plays as if he were holding an inanimate body in his hands, tracing its every contour until it comes back to life." [4]
All lyrics are written by Norma Winstone; all music is composed by John Taylor, except as noted.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Adios Iony" | 7:00 | ||
| 2. | "Dream/Lost Song" | 5:55 | ||
| 3. | "Who Are You?" | Jane White | Kenny Wheeler | 3:42 |
| 4. | "Breathtaking" | 6:25 | ||
| 5. | "Potion 1" | 2:17 | ||
| 6. | "February Daze" | 6:20 | ||
| 7. | "Til Bakeblikk" | 9:04 | ||
| 8. | "Potion 2" | 3:36 |
Kenneth Vincent John Wheeler, OC was a Canadian composer and trumpet and flugelhorn player, based in the U.K. from the 1950s onwards.
Norma Ann Winstone MBE is an English jazz singer and lyricist. With a career spanning more than 50 years, she is best known for her wordless improvisations. Musicians with whom she has worked include Michael Garrick, John Surman, Michael Gibbs, Mike Westbrook, as well as pianist John Taylor, who was her former husband.
Azimuth was a British jazz trio, active from 1977 through the early 2000s.
Music for Large & Small Ensembles is a double album by Canadian jazz trumpeter Kenny Wheeler recorded over two sessions in January and February 1990 and released on ECM later that year. The Sweet Time Suite' is Wheeler's most ambitious extended work for big band since 1969's Windmill Tilter.
Triplicate is a studio album by the Dave Holland Trio, recorded in March 1988 and released on ECM later that year. The trio features alto saxophonist Steve Coleman and drummer Jack DeJohnette.
Getting There is a studio album by jazz guitarist John Abercrombie recorded in April 1987 and released on ECM February the following year. The trio features rhythm section Marc Johnson and Peter Erskine, with guest appearances from saxophonist Michael Brecker on three tracks.
Old and New Dreams is the self-titled second album by jazz quartet Old and New Dreams, recorded in 1979 and released on ECM later that year. The quintet features trumpeter Don Cherry, saxophonist Dewey Redman, and rhythms section Charlie Haden and Ed Blackwell—their debut, released on Black Saint, was also self titled.
Grazing Dreams is the second album by American sitarist and composer Collin Walcott, recorded in February 1977 and released on ECM later that year. Walcott's quintet features trumpeter Don Cherry and rhythm section John Abercrombie, Palle Danielsson and Dom Um Romão.
Azimuth is the debut album by British jazz trio Azimuth recorded in March 1977 and released on ECM later that year. The trio consists of pianist John Taylor, vocalist Norma Winstone, and trumpeter Kenny Wheeler.
Codona is an album by American sitarist and tabla player Collin Walcott, American jazz trumpeter Don Cherry and Brazilian jazz percussionist Naná Vasconcelos recorded in September 1978 and released on ECM the following year—the first of three self-titled albums by the trio.
The Touchstone is the second album by British jazz trio Azimuth, recorded in June 1978 and released on ECM the following year. The trio features trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, vocalist Norma Winstone, and pianist John Taylor.
Codona 2 is an album by American sitarist and tabla player Collin Walcott, American jazz trumpeter Don Cherry and Brazilian jazz percussionist Naná Vasconcelos recorded in May 1980 and released on ECM the following year—the second of three self-titled albums by the trio.
Seeds of Time is a studio album by the Dave Holland Quintet recorded in November 1984 and released on ECM the following year on LP and CD. The quintet features brass section Kenny Wheeler, Steve Coleman, and Julian Priester from Holland's previous release, along with new drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith.
El Corazón is an album by jazz trumpeter Don Cherry and drummer Ed Blackwell recorded in February 1982 and released on ECM later that year.
Codona 3 is the third and final album by jazz trio Codona—featuring sitarist and tabla player Collin Walcott, trumpeter Don Cherry and percussionist Naná Vasconcelos—recorded in September 1982 and released on ECM the following year.
While We're Young is an album by the jazz guitarist John Abercrombie recorded in June 1992 and released by ECM the following year. The trio features organist Dan Wall and drummer Adam Nussbaum.
How It Was Then... Never Again is an album by British jazz trio Azimuth, consisting pianist John Taylor, vocalist Norma Winstone and trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, recorded in April 1994 and released on ECM the following year.
Départ is an album by British jazz trio Azimuth with American jazz guitarist Ralph Towner, recorded in December 1979 and released on ECM the following year. The trio features trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, vocalist Norma Winstone and pianist John Taylor, joined by guitarist Ralph Towner.
Berlin Contemporary Jazz Orchestra is the debut album by the eponymous ensemble—conducted by founder Alexander von Schlippenbach—recorded in May 1989 and released on ECM the following year.
Somewhere Called Home is an album by English jazz singer and lyricist Norma Winstone recorded in July 1986 and released on ECM the following year. The trio features pianist John Taylor and reed player Tony Coe.
