John Clark – Faces

An underrated release from the vast ECM catalog, Faces is the second album from French horn player John Clark and his only appearance on Manfred Eicher’s revered jazz label. While the entire album plays great, A1 “The Abhà Kingdom” is the definite highlight. David Friedman’s mallet hits set a relaxed pace in the first section that perfectly matches the evening sky on the album cover. David Darling’s soaring cello complements Clark’s horn while Jon Christensen’s accented drum accompaniment takes the energy into second gear half way through. Named after a Bahá’í phrase meaning the next stage of existence, or “the next world,” the track captures a feeling of glorious ascension.

Recommended – A1 The Abhà Kingdom, Full Listen