ECM Records John Taylor, Norma Winstone, Kenny Wheeler - Azimuth ( LUMINESSENCE )

A1 Sirens' Song 4:10
A2 O 6:48
A3 Azimuth 12:15
B1 The Tunnel 9:14
B2 Greek Triangle 2:02
B3 Jacob 8:41

Azimuth
John Taylor - Piano, Synthesizer
Norma Winstone - Voice
Kenny Wheeler - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
RECORDED March 1977, Talent Studio, Oslo

Recorded in 1977 and now reissued in ECM’s audiophile Luminessence vinyl series, the debut album of the Azimuth trio was truly ahead of its time. Formed by adding Canadian-born trumpeter Kenny Wheeler to the British duo of pianist John Taylor and vocalist Norma Winstone, the group’s futuristic musical palette embraced hypnotic, minimalistic pulse patterns, otherworldly synthesizer sounds, songs, collective improvisation and solo flights. In recent seasons, the number of listeners under Azimuth’s sway has grown exponentially, as the music has adapted itself to new contexts. And the vast international audience that has heard fragments of Azimuth’s “The Tunnel” as part of a major rap hit in 2023 can now discover the original in its pristine form, still magical after all these years – as is the whole album. Produced by Manfred Eicher, this new edition with gatefold sleeve adds liner notes detailing Azimuth’s story.




Luminessence, ECM’s new audiophile vinyl-reissue series, is a kaleidoscope, shedding light on the jewels of the label’s deep catalogue in elegant, high-quality editions. The hallmarks of the series: original and evocative music, imaginatively played and sensitively produced. The recordings underline the scope and variety of ECM’s world of sound and the LPs are presented in different formats.

The series features albums that have changed perceptions of creative music making, albums now heralded as classics. Some are offered in exclusive facsimile editions, others framed in high-grade gatefolds that include new liner notes offering historical context and fresh perspectives, while again others have been long out of print or even never before released on vinyl. Many of the re-issues are cut from the original analog master tapes and all Luminessence releases incorporate the striking cover art which has contributed to ECM’s renown.