Quartet

For the first time on vinyl, via Modernistas Records, Muriel Grossmann’s seminal 2008 album Quartet is reissued in a newly remastered and remixed edition. The recording features Radomir Milojkovic on guitar, David Marroquin on double bass, and Marko Jelaca on drums.

Muriel Grossmann’s wide compositional and performing talents are clearly reflected in four-voice pieces such as “Diversity” and “Quintessence,” suite-like compositions such as “Flügel” and “Echo,” as well as brisk, energetic works like “Andrew.” Grossmann weaves lines with phrases drawn from the theme; she spins developments from new motifs with hard-driving rhythmic figures, making each interpretation an exciting and propulsive experience. Muriel Grossmann’s music is complex, calling for a similar depth of emotional response from the listener, yet at the same time it is deeply swinging, moving the body as well as the spirit. The album reveals a strong sense of artistic purpose and a continuous search for identity that would later define her work.

Originally released in 2008, Quartet directly influenced Grossmann’s later albums —spiritual jazz landmarks such as Golden Rule, Universal Code, and Devotion. A cornerstone of her discography, this album is considered by some dedicated listeners and some music critics to be even more significant than her acclaimed 2010 release Birth of the Mystery. Take a deep dive into this newly remastered early gem from Muriel Grossmann’s exceptional discography.