Stages of a Long Journey was recorded in Stuttgart in March of 2005, as part of a celebration of both the 20th anniversary of the Theaterhaus Jazzstage festival and as a 65th birthday celebration for bassist Eberhard Weber. Weber was asked to pick a number of his own compositions, rearrange them by writing new charts forthe Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra, and select his own band as well. Weber picked on former and current bandmates such asGary Burton,Jan Garbarek,Rainer Bruninghaus,Marilyn Mazur　,Wolfgang Dauner,Reto Weber, and human beatboxNino G., and carefully chose material from his own catalog and pieces he had performed on in their initial recordings, such asBuninghaus's "Piano Transition,"Jerome Kern's "Yesterdays,"Mazur　's "Percussion Transition," andCarla Bley's "Syndrome." Those wondering if there is any actual "jazz" on this record need look no further than the gorgeous version ofBley's tune here, whereBurton　,　Garbarek, and the bassist all shine. Another consideration for the listener is in Weber's beautiful, inventive, rhythmic charts for the orchestra (under the direction of　Roland Kluttig　). "Silent Feet," which opens the set, is one such exercise. What begins as a slow bowed bassline is colored and enlarged by the orchestra entering gradually, tensely, and dramatically, as grey dawn emerges from the night sky. A pulse begins just after　Mazur's percussion entry, the band plays these intricate rhythmic phrases, and the orchestra adds genuine color, texture, and depth. They follow rhythmic signature perfectly, allowing the tune to evolve and bring its delightfully understated melodic frame (which is not inseparable from the pulse) to the fore. By the timeGarbarektakes his solo and Weber plays double time behind him, the big brassy horns are ready to push and drop out only asBurtonenters with a truly lovely and poetic solo. ...