When Ralph Towner burst onto the contemporary jazz scene in the mid-70s, listeners were well aware of his awesome talent as a member of Oregon. But when Solstice was issued on the ECM label, it took the brilliant guitarist's caché to a much higher level, especially as a composer. With the otherworldly curved soprano sax and flute playing of Jan Garbarek, the precise drumming of Jon Christensen, and unique bass sounds of Eberhard Weber, the music on this album lifted the ECM/Euro-styled jazz and improvised music to a new realm of pure expressionism. Simply put - this music is stunningly beautiful. The incredible "Oceanus" begins with Towner's cascading guitar, followed by the swelling and symphonic bass of Weber, a swinging drum line by Christensen with Garbarek's atmospheric and dramatic curved soprano layering contrasting timbres, symmetry, and unusual colors…

Lassée d'avance de son avenir peu radieux, Serin tombe par hasard sur un livre étrange qui l'incite à envoyer une lettre racontant ses peines au magasin de la Mousson, tenu par des gobelins. Lorsqu'elle reçoit un étrange ticket d'or, elle explore les différentes échoppes pour trouver son bonheur le plus rapidement possible, au risque d'être piégée chez les créatures pour toujours. …