Pat Metheny Group is the debut album by the Pat Metheny Group, recorded in January 1978 and released on ECM in March that same year. The quartet features Lyle Mays, Mark Egan, and Danny Gottlieb.
Composition and style Many elements that became defining traits of the band's overall sound were in place on this album, namely Metheny's incorporation of several different guitars and Mays's fusion of electronic and acoustic keyboards to create a fuller, more harmonically sophisticated foundation for the melodies and solos. This is evidenced on "Phase Dance" where Metheny introduces the main melody on an acoustic guitar and then switches to electric to play one of the improvisational solos, with Mays providing the foundation on keyboards before playing the other solo. "Phase Dance" quickly became a signature song for the Group, most often played in concert as an introductory piece. "Jaco" is a tribute to Jaco Pastorius, who pioneered the fretless electric bass in jazz fusion.
Track listing
Personnel Pat Metheny Group Pat Metheny – 6-and 12-string electric and acoustic guitars Lyle Mays – piano, Oberheim synthesizer, autoharp Mark Egan – bass Danny Gottlieb – drums
Technical personnel Manfred Eicher – producer Jan Erik Kongshaug – recording, mixing Allen Landau – mastering Roberto Masotti – photography Barbara Wojirsch – cover design
Charts YearChartPosition1978Billboard Jazz Albums51978Billboard Pop Albums123
References