When Circle took the stage in Paris in 1971, they weren't just performing - they were igniting a musical revolution. This extraordinary quartet, featuring Chick Corea (piano), Dave Holland (bass), Anthony Braxton (reeds), and Barry Altschul (drums), represented the cutting edge of jazz experimentation at its most vital.
Fresh from their tenure with Miles Davis, Corea and Holland were eager to push boundaries in an entirely improvised context. They found the perfect collaborators in Braxton - whose avant-garde vision bridged Karlheinz Stockhausen and John Coltrane - and Altschul, whose groundbreaking work with Paul Bley had already redefined jazz rhythm. Together, they created music of breathtaking spontaneity and complexity.
The Paris Concert captures this supergroup at their creative peak. Corea himself called it "the realization of a dream" - a sentiment echoed by critics. Melody Maker declared: "Paris Concert is evidence that here was one of the most excitingly talented bands of recent years, for these 94 minutes of music simply burst with vigorous invention."
Now available in a definitive edition, this landmark recording showcases:
The complete 94-minute performance in pristine quality
Unparalleled group chemistry between four jazz revolutionaries
A pivotal moment where post-bop met the avant-garde
Historic significance as a document of early 1970s jazz innovation
For fans of adventurous music, Paris Concert remains essential listening - a time capsule of fearless creativity from musicians who would go on to shape jazz for decades to come.
Anthony Braxton: Reeds, Percussion
David Holland: Bass, Cello
Barry Altschul: Percussion
Chick Corea: Piano