Hyperion With Higgins

Hyperion with Higgins is a pivotal document in Charles Lloyd's late-career renaissance on the ECM label. Recorded in December 1999, these sessions were the final collaborations between Lloyd and his longtime friend, the legendary drummer Billy Higgins, who passed away shortly before the album's release. While its predecessor, The Water Is Wide, focused on traditional spirituals and ballads, Hyperion consists entirely of Lloyd originals, showcasing his compositional range from the bossa-inflected 'Dancing Waters' to the sprawling, multi-movement 'Darkness on the Delta Suite.' The quintet is a 'supergroup' of sorts, featuring Brad Mehldau on piano, John Abercrombie on guitar, and Larry Grenadier on bass. Critics from AllMusic and BBC Music have lauded the album for its focus and emotional depth, often citing it as one of the finest examples of the 'ECM sound' - characterized by spaciousness, pristine recording quality, and a meditative atmosphere. It stands as a definitive statement of spiritual jazz in the 21st century.