Keith Jarrett - The Koln Concert (1975)

Amazing how much expressive energy and spiritual joy a man with a gift for creating a majestic sound stream on the piano can communicate in one evening!

This was the first ECM album I bought, and being a double LP, and a European import at that, it cost a bundle (when you're still at school and living off your parents, anything costs a bundle!). The white cover necessitated the use of plastic wrapping, but I loved the pristine simplicity of the artwork as much I dug the seamless spontaneity of the sometimes deceptively spare but often sparkling and inspiring music.

Jarrett may have an annoying tendency to occasionally hum along while he's playing, but hardly a flaw is noticeable in his performance here. Just brilliant!