Maybe this thread should be renamed "the genius of Manfred Eicher" as for a while, he produced all albums under this label. Eicher is a genius for getting the most out of an artist. I agree with the previous comments with respect to Pat Metheny. It seemed he hit his high with "80/81" and "New Chautaugua" with mixed results after. Some of my favorites (there are so many its almost pointless):
Chick Corea: Solo Improvisations, Vol's 1 & 2
Kenny Wheeler: Gnu High, Deer Wan
Egberto Gismonti: Solo is my favorite but virtually anything he did with ECM is great
Rainer Bruninghaus: Freiweight
Mick Goodrick: In Passing
Old and New Dreams: An all star ensemble with Dewey Redman and DOn Cherry.
Dave Holland: Extensions and Life Cycle
The list is endless.
Chick Corea: Solo Improvisations, Vol's 1 & 2
Kenny Wheeler: Gnu High, Deer Wan
Egberto Gismonti: Solo is my favorite but virtually anything he did with ECM is great
Rainer Bruninghaus: Freiweight
Mick Goodrick: In Passing
Old and New Dreams: An all star ensemble with Dewey Redman and DOn Cherry.
Dave Holland: Extensions and Life Cycle
The list is endless.