Keith Jarrett's Quartet Finds Its Groove
Treasure Island shows the American Quartet loosening up, with Charlie Haden's bass anchoring a record that is looser and more accessible than much of Jarrett's Impulse! output.
The most distinctive presence on Treasure Island (1974) is bassist Charlie Haden. He is the steady center the album pivots around, and his deep, unhurried lines give the quartet its warmth. Haden had already worked closely with Jarrett in this format, and the rapport here is easy to hear. He doesn't push the music forward so much as hold it in place, letting the group stretch out without losing its footing.
Recorded in February 1974, the session belongs to the period when Jarrett's group was often called the American Quartet. Alongside Haden, the lineup includes Dewey Redman and Paul Motian, with guitarist Sam Brown and percussionists Guilherme Franco and Danny Johnson adding color. The result is more relaxed than many of Jarrett's more demanding recordings from the time. Highlights include the soulful, country-blues feel of "The Rich (And the Poor)" and the glistening title track.
Where does it sit in Jarrett's catalog? Two months later he recorded Belonging (1974) with a Scandinavian group, so this album marks the end of one chapter rather than a peak. It is a good entry point if you want Jarrett's Impulse! work in a more accessible form, though committed fans may find it lighter than his most ambitious records.
Who's playing
Charlie Hadendouble bass
Sam Brownguitar
Guilherme Francopercussion
Keith Jarrettpercussion
Danny Johnsonpercussion
Paul Motianpercussion
Dewey Redmantambourine
Where next?
More by Keith Jarrett
All 29 albums →
The musicians on this record
♫
Rejoicing 1984
Charlie Haden
plays double bass here
plays double bass here
Etudes 1988
Paul Motian
plays percussion here
plays percussion here
African Venus 1994
Dewey Redman
plays tambourine here
plays tambourine here
