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The Touchstone is the second album by British jazz trio Azimuth featuring trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, vocalist Norma Winstone, and pianist John Taylor recorded in 1978 and released on the ECM label.[1]

The Touchstone
Studio album by Azimuth
Released	1979
Recorded	June 1978
Studio	Talent Studio, Oslo
Genre	Jazz
Length	45:11
Label	ECM ECM 1130
Producer	Manfred Eicher
Azimuth chronology
Azimuth (1977) The Touchstone (1979) Départ (1980)

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[2]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz	[3]

The AllMusic review by Michael G. Nastos awarded the album 3 stars calling it an "atmospheric recording".[2]

The authors of the Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings wrote that the album is "perhaps the group's masterpiece, combining jazz, classical and contemporary composition, and sheer sound in a mix that is as invigorating as it is thought-provoking." They singled out "See" as the outstanding track, describing it as "glorious."[4]

Tyran Grillo, writing for ECM Reviews, called the album "the group’s most enigmatic," and commented: "This is an elusive set... filled with quiet, seething power, but also one that builds its nests comfortably over our heads. It can only fly, because it knows no other way to travel."[5]

Track listing

All compositions by John Taylor

1. "Eulogy" - 10:26
2. "Sylver" - 6:30
3. "Mayday" - 5:31
4. "Jero" - 6:21
5. "Prelude" - 5:37
6. "See" - 10:46

Personnel

Azimuth

• John Taylor — piano, organ
• Kenny Wheeler — trumpet, flugelhorn
• Norma Winstone — vocals

References

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