Gary Burton - Rarum 4: Selected Recordings

Gary Burton recorded for the ECM label for 15 years in the '70s and '80s. This set (which shares it's title with other collections in the same series) is a portrait of the vibraphonist's working bands during that era. The material was chosen by Burton, and his liner notes follow the history with concise insights. With the exception of his duets with Chick Corea (not represented here, but their "Crystal Silence" is a key work in the discographies of both men) and Ralph Towner, Burton was truly a band player and leader throughout the entirety of his career. Perhaps recognizing the specific timbres of his instrument, Burton has always sought appropriate settings to showcase it's sound and gently expand it's possibilities. Writing only rarely, Burton found material from the members of his band as well as a couple key outsiders, Carla Bley and Michael Gibbs.