The Impulse Years: 1973-1974

The Impulse Years: 1973-1974 is a 5-CD box set of Keith Jarrett albums, comprising Fort Yawuh, Treasure Island, Death and The Flower and Back Hand. The set was released in 1997 by Universal Music Group.

The music was performed by Jarrett and his affectionately titled 'American Quartet', which consisted of Charlie Haden, Paul Motian and Dewey Redman. Additional contributions were provided by Sam Brown (electric guitar), plus percussionists Guilherme Franco and Danny Johnson.

Aside from its appearance in this set, Back Hand has, to date, only ever been released on CD in Japan.

This set was preceded in 1996 by a four-CD box set called Mysteries: The Impulse Years 1975-1976, comprising Mysteries, Shades, Byablue and Bop-Be.

AllMusic awarded the album 4½ stars and its review by Scott Yanow states, "The music performed by this underrated group (which is heard at its best on the 22-and-a-half-minute "Death and the Flower" and "Inflight") is inside/outside, hinting at the avant-garde while not shy about using melodies and rhythms". In Jazziz Joseph Woodard wrote "In the clear light of hindsight, the music here makes an even bolder impact than we'd expect. Jarret's "American" band... was really one of the last great groups in jazz. The ensemble had a distinctive eclectic, an evolutionary sound at a time when jazz was in transition".

Disc 1: Fort Yawuh

Disc 2: Fort Yawuh

Disc 3: Treasure Island

Disc 4: Death and The Flower

Disc 5: Back Hand

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