Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » A.R.C.: A.R.C.

A.R.C.: A.R.C.

By Mike Jurkovic
September 18, 2023
View read count

Without the exploding theorems of multi-reedist/composer/alchemist Anthony Braxton, A.R.C., the multifarious rhythm trio of Chick Corea, Dave Holland and Barry Altschul, continue the grand work of the short-lived (but most esteemed) quartet Circle on this 1971 reissue and remaster of the exploratory and free flying A.R.C.

Corea, who, after a short solo turn would soon break the realm with Return to Forever is especially feisty here, as too is Holland, who would a year hence record Conference of the Birds (ECM, 1972) with Braxton, Altschul and saxophone/flautist Sam Rivers. It isn't Circle, but then again few things were, are, or could be.

Altshcul, whose ragtime to no-time temperament puts a distinctive charge into A.R.C's six wily and loose limbed tracks, sits back in the beginning of "Nefertiti," while Corea has his way. But he's soon pushing Holland and vice versa and the horse has broken from the barn. On his first set for ECM, Holland churns as Corea races and runs. It is one of those runaway tracks that stirs the blood.

Affinity, reality, communication: those were the concepts behind the namesake, and each player is more than hip to the score, each delivering his particular nuance to the first of four Corea originals, the loosely embroidered, "Ballad for Tillie." The title track runs circles around itself, as the trio blends, breaks away, and hands the torch to the next in the relay. Borders trade, merge, blur, and dissipate on Holland's impassioned "Vedana" and Corea's closing "Games." Definitely worth a return listen.

Track Listing

Nefertiti; Ballad for Tillie; A.R.C.; Vedana; Thanatos; Games.

Personnel

Chick Corea

piano

Dave Holland

bass

Barry Altschul

drums

Album information

Title: A.R.C. | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: ECM Records

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Off The Charts
< Previous

New September Releases - Sisters of J...
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.