Keith Jarrett: Radiance

Herald rating: ****

Thirty years ago jazz pianist Jarrett announced the scope of his ambition with a live box set, The Sun Bear Concerts. It was 10 albums - six discs these days - and since then he has weighed in regularly with double albums and double discs, and in '95, a six-disc set At The Blue Note.

Since he staggered from an Italian stage in '96 suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome his work as been more measured, and on exceptional albums such as The Melody At Night, With You and his Standards series he has allowed silence and space to speak as elegantly as the few well-chosen notes.

This double disc, however, is him back at his ambitious best. It was recorded in 2002, when Jarrett took to the stage with a blank slate and improvised in the way he had done decades ago. This is a risky business, but jazz at its best is about taking risks, and there is much to admire here.

Divided into melodic ideas - about which the politely silent Japanese audiences had no prior knowledge - the improvs can be meditative or vigorous, romantic or atonal, sometimes within the same piece.

Those who enjoyed his demanding work in the 70s, or those who have come to him for the radiant refinement of recent albums will find this an agreeable meeting ground.

Label: ECM/Ode