Oregon - Northwest Passage

''Indie Award Winner for Best Contemporary Jazz Record of 1998'' (USA) +++ ''German Jazz Award'' Record of the month'' (Stereoplay 10/97)

With their recording “Northwest Passage”, Ralph Towner (guit, p, keyb), Paul McCandless (sax, oboe, horns) and Glen Moore (bs) have created an absolute milestone of their long-going career under the name ''Oregon'', crowning their musical works to date with a graceful gem of true beauty which shines with 14 new compositional jewels. ''Northwest Passage” also brings back the signature of percussionists to the incomparable sound of Oregon, employing Arto Tuncboyaciyan and Mark Walker - both excellent musicians in their own right. With uncanny sensitivity they have managed to tap into the spirit that the core of Oregon have developed over the years, making the band sound as if it had never existed in any other line-up. Another significant part in the stunning overall sound of this album played producer Steven Rodby (of Pat Metheny fame), who has undoubtedly put his very best into this production: “Northwest Passage” lives and breathes, displaying the fascinating richness of Oregon's wonderful music in dazzling detail and crystal-clear transparency. Together with those high-profile companions, Towner, McCandless and Moore have made “Northwest Passage” an unforgettable journey through the musical worlds of jazz, classical, and ethnic music. Seemingly effortless, they juggle moments of silence and abundance with breathtaking security and nearly tangible mutual understanding. Diverse and full of atmosphere, this exceptional production illustriously and elegantly captivates the senses with every piece; a rare and most exquisite work.