Pat Metheny Group – Offramp ( ECM / 1982 )

An exceptional musician who fits no category but his own, and the album that marked it for good. Offramp is the first studio recording on which Pat Metheny used the guitar synthesizer together with synclavier, and with the explosive vocalized synth guitar solo on ‘Are You Going With Me’, he acquired his exceptional status among jazz musicians as a giant. It’s one of his best pieces of all times (we also recommend the live version on 80/81). The incredible collaboration between Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays, the powerful solos of both musicians spiced up with the vocal and percussion of Nana Vasconcelos makes this album a five star masterpiece. Just get off the road for awhile with ‘Offramp’. Let yourself carried away to another world by ‘Are You Going With Me’. And follow the dance like pace of ‘Au Lait’. It’s atmospheric, sophisticated, beautiful music infused with hope. No wonder it’s been used as soundtrack material, even in French films.

Track Listing :

1. Barcarole (Metheny, Mays, Vasconcelos) 3:17
2. Are You Going With Me?  8:47
3. Au Lait  8:32
4. Eighteen (Metheny, Mays, Vasconcelos) 5:08
5. Offramp 5:59
6. James 6:47
7. The Bat Part II 3:50

Musicians / Personnel :

Pat Metheny – guitar synthesizer, guitar, synclavier guitar
Lyle Mays – piano, synthesizer, autoharp, organ, synclavier
Steve Rodby – acoustic and electric bass
Dan Gottlieb – drums
Nana Vasconcelos – percussion, voice, berimbau
Recorded at Power Station, New York
Engineers: Jan Erik Kongshaug, Gragg Lunsford (track 5)
Mixed at Talent Studio, Oslo by Jan Erik Kongshaug
Producer: Manfred Eicher