Backhand

Recorded in 1974 during the same prolific sessions that produced 'Death and the Flower,' Backhand represents the peak of Keith Jarrett's American Quartet. This lineup - featuring Dewey Redman (tenor sax), Charlie Haden (bass), and Paul Motian (drums) - is often cited by critics as one of the most important ensembles in jazz history for its ability to bridge the gap between Ornette Coleman's free-jazz innovations and a more lyrical, folk-influenced sensibility. The album was famously difficult to find for decades, existing primarily as a Japanese import or a rare 8-track before its eventual rescue by Impulse! reissues. Sonically, the album is notable for Jarrett's multi-instrumentalism (including flute) and Redman's use of the musette, which provides a shrill, double-reed texture that contrasts sharply with Jarrett's fluid piano. The critical consensus, led by AllMusic's 4.5 and 5-star reviews, positions this as an essential, if once-overlooked, document of 1970s jazz fusion and avant-garde exploration.