Jan Garbarek: Rites (Luminessence Series 2LP)

Jan Garbarek’s powerful double album *Rites*, on which the master saxophonist is accompanied by his longtime collaborators Rainer Brüninghaus and Eberhard Weber, as well as percussionist Marilyn Mazur and electronic artist Bugge Wesseltoft, was regarded upon its original release in 1998 as both a magnum opus and an impressive retrospective of Garbarek’s artistic range. Even today, it remains a compelling compendium and a completely independent, modern musical statement. Scattered across the album’s wide-ranging stylistic landscape are references to the most diverse musical cultures of the world—from Norway to India. Added to this is a setting of a poem by the indigenous peoples of North America for voices and saxophone, as well as a surprising rendition of Jansug Kakhidze’s “The Moon Over Mtatsminda,” sung by the composer himself alongside the Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra. Released as part of the ECM “Luminessence” series, “Rites” is now available on vinyl for the first time—in a high-quality tip-on gatefold sleeve plus a comprehensive booklet featuring texts, photographs, and all the original material from the first CD release.