Eberhard Weber Colours - Silent Feet

E X Q U I S I T E

I bought this in 1979 barely out of my teens the same year Mitchell's 'Mingus' was released, and I was beginning to understand jazz improvisation, even as I had been listening to jazz since childhood. Somehow, Weber's "Silent Feet" suddenly crystallized it all for me, just as Mitchell had crystallized the synthesis of poetry and folk/jazz.

As one reviewer has duly noted, there are sections of the 17:00 title tune that can bring one to tears. The interplay between bass, sax, drums and Bruninghaus' galactic piano is exceptional. While there are many celestial moments in "Colors of Chloe" and "Yellow Fields", none match, for me, the series of blistering phrasings that make up this pivotal, sadly overlooked, ECM classic.

Please, please, lovers of beauty, buy this classic! July 28, 2008

Jazz heaven

From the very first note, "Silent Feet" envelops the listener in a cocoon of sumptuous sounds from an extraterrestrial environment. "Silent Feet" is the glorious 1978 masterpiece by Europe's best bassist and jazz composer, Eberhard Weber. The interaction between Weber and the rest of this extraordinary band, Colours, is seamless. The music is intriguing. The ECM sound is pristine and as close to perfection as anyone has come. "Silent Feet" is a lot better than "Yellow Fields" (1975), somewhat better than "Little Movements" (1980) and on par with "Colours of Chloe" (1974), which is not a Colours' album. This is jazz heaven! November 24, 2007

Seriously Deep, Seriously Beautiful.

This album oozes a lyrical beauty guaranteed to make your cortex throb for decades (around three for me so far). Further, I have still to hear a recording and production quality to better this - and I am an avid consumer of CD's and Vinyl.

Each piece is sumptuously produced and played by some of the planet's greatest living musicians - Eberhard Weber (bass), Rainer Bruninghaus (piano), Charlie Mariano (sax), and John Marshall (drums). In fact, Marshall's drumming here is so good that this album would still be worth the maximum stars had it been a totally solo performance. Together, the band produce music that would have made Mozart wet himself had he heard it. Take the finest moments from Jazz, Classical and Post-Rock, place in blender, add the rarest beauty of the universe, press play and await the arrival of your spirit. It won't take long.

If you are reading this and are capable of breathing and thinking at the same time, then you really must buy this album. It is at the very pinnacle of human artistic achievement and should be played to the aliens when they eventually turn up, as I am sure this is what they will come looking for.

February 28, 2007

It's True -- Weber's Best

This fantastic record is certainly the most focused band performance in Weber's admirable discography, with supremely beautiful compositions, and career-peak contributions from Rainer Bruninghaus, Charlie Mariano, and John Marshall. Bruninghaus' solo piano intro to "Seriously Deep" is one of the most haunting pieces of music I know. June 30, 2005

Timeless masterpiece!

I bought this album (cassette tape) about 20 years ago and did not appreciate how good it was until recently. I was more into mainstream jazz and fusion at the time and it did not click with me on the first listen. It ended up in longterm storage in my bedroom. But, while going through the deadwood in my closet, I came upon it and thought I'd give it another listen. Even with the crappy tape fidelity and hiss, this recording blew me away. In terms of virtuoso talent and composition, I'd say it's on par with Mclaughlin's "Live at the Royal Festival Hall", another all time favorite. Each musician is a standout on this album. If you did not know what instrument Weber played, you would be hard pressed to guess. The piano, sax, and drums are all as flawless as the bass. Weber's bass lines come through clear and clean, ala Pastorius. Marshall's drumming throughout is astonishing, even on cymbals alone. If you appreciate good drumming, this album is a must have. It is much more uptempo than Fluid Rustle (also a favorite) and the arrangements more complex. Bruninghaus (piano) and Mariano (sax) are virtually unknown, although that is not unusual for countless great jazz musicians. Can't wait to get a copy on CD! November 19, 2004

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