Rio ECM*****

Every now and then, pianist Keith Jarrett makes a recording that reaffirms his position as one of the most original and creative improvising musicians alive. This is one of them. Jarrett has battled all his career with a debilitating personality – precious, self-regarding, almost disdainful of his audience –but there is no disputing the quality of his output, documented in minute detail by ECM, in particular his solo improvisations, which can be heart-stoppingly beautiful. Some might argue that there is more than enough of them out there already, but even the most censorious would allow that these two discs are a worthy addition to his oeuvre. Inspired by an adoring Brazilian audience and, rumour has it, a new love, he seems to shake off the self-consciousness of recent times, and rediscovers the joyous melodic abandon that first endeared him to the world. Perhaps he is mellowing. At last. See ecmrecords.com