Who was responsible for putting together this compilation with early pieces of Keith Jarrett for the Atlantic label whatsoever in Warner and the French WEA subsidiary, a different principle from that of the chance he can hardly be investigated. In the series "Les Incontournables" In 1996 this CD, and in fact, yes, Keith Jarrett can certainly be regarded as "essential" for the jazz history. The twelve tracks that have been selected for this compilation, have been included 1966-1971, live and in the studio. Jarrett played at that time in various formations and it almost seems as if "Les Incontournables: Le Virtuose du piano" exactly the document (except, of course, the non-established for Atlantic recordings Jarrett with Miles Davis). First there was the collaboration with Charles Lloyd in its abundant progressive quartet from 1966 to 1968. Of these, four titles included on the sampler, including with "Sombrero Sam" a Lloyd composition of single studio album "Dreamweaver" and "Days And Nights Waiting "from the legendary concert in May 1967 in the Soviet Union. Then a couple of tracks from the early albums Jarrett with his first trio with Charlie Haden on bass and Paul Motian are represented on drums - also here in turn not only Jarrett compositions, but also a Cole Porter number ("Everything I Love") and the great version of Bob Dylan's classic "My Back Pages". The early involvement of saxophonist Dewey Redman in this band is also carried a title ("Birth") occupied. Finally, there are on this compilation also two samples from the fantastic album, which Jarrett has recorded in the summer of 1970 with vibraphonist Gary Burton. The Sampler "Les Incontournables: Le Virtuose du piano" so not necessarily lead to a focus on a specific style and not only on documenting Jarrett composition arts. It will probably represent a cross section of the works of the young "Piano Virtuoso" for the Atlantic label. It has also compiled some remarkably good pieces next to rather average track, despite the apparent arbitrariness of the selection and the consequent stylistic incoherence of the album.
