Characters is a solo album by guitarist John Abercrombie that was recorded in 1977 and released by ECM in 1978.[1]

Characters
Studio album by John Abercrombie
Released	1978
Recorded	November 1977
Studio	Talent Studios, Oslo, Norway
Genre	Jazz
Length	44:54
Label	ECM
Producer	Manfred Eicher
John Abercrombie chronology
Sargasso Sea (1976) Characters (1978) Arcade (1979)

Reception

The Allmusic review by Robert Taylor gave the album 4 stars, stating, "Abercrombie makes excellent use of space within both his compositions and solos. Upon the first listen there may not appear to be very much here; however, this music needs to be absorbed over several listens to appreciate Abercrombie's brilliance."[2] The Penguin Guide to Jazz gave the album 3½ stars, stating, "Characters was Abercrombie's most overt manifesto and calling-card, a demonstration of styles and moods and, even at this point in his career, influences too."[3] The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide said, "a tremendous solo display of Abercrombie's acoustic/electric guitar and mandolin playing".[4]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[2]
Penguin Guide to Jazz	[3]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide	[4]

Track listing

All tracks are written by John Abercrombie.

Personnel

• John Abercrombie – electric guitar, acoustic guitar, electric mandolin

References