The world premiere release in any format of the Charles Lloyd Quartet concert that basically started the Montreux Jazz Festival - Montreux, 1967. A wonderful line-up for an amazing concert: Charles Lloyd, Keith Jarrett, Ron McClure, Jack DeJohnette.
Pianist Keith Jarrett, bassist Ron McClure and drummer Jack DeJohnette dance around the dervish, which is Charles Lloyd, augmenting the music of the quar-
tet with all the liberties, all the daring and finally all the craziness that allow the leader to take flight to his improvisational territories of predilection. The
music is carnal, expressive as hell itself and knows how to take its time through changing climates like so many steps mounting to a kind of grandiose ecstatic
crescendo.
In addition, one also has the impression that the art of each of the four instrumentalists, who have not stopped evolving since then and have all been in their own rights acclaimed and recognized, already contains all the nuggets and qualities of their future productions and projects; without any of them having to be apologetic for the effects of time or the harsh law of changing styles with regard to this legendary Montreux performance.
This music remains as alive and eloquent as it was revealing for many at the time of its creation. It now remains for listeners to discover, or rediscover, the music of the Charles Lloyd Quartet recorded at the very first Montreux Jazz Festival in 1967!... and they can celebrate, because this voyage is assuredly extraordinary!
