Afric Pepperbird

Afric Pepperbird is an album by the Jan Garbarek Quartet, recorded over two days in September 1970 and released on ECM the following year—Garberek's second album overall, and his first released for the label. The quartet features rhythm section Terje Rypdal, Arild Andersen and Jon Christensen.

Background
Regarding the album's title, author Jan Omdahl reports that Garbarek told Arild Andersen about a reading about a bird in a book "or something", speculating about which "pepperbird" was the inspiration for the title of the song and album.

Reception
The AllMusic review by Brian Olewnick states, "Together with Sart, Tryptikon, and Witchi-Tai-To (as well as a prior recording on Flying Dutchman), this album represents the strongest, most aggressive portion of Garbarek's career, before he succumbed to what became known as the ECM aesthetic. Very highly recommended."

Jan Garbarek Quartet

 * Jan Garbarek – tenor and bass saxophones, clarinet, flute, percussion
 * Terje Rypdal – guitar, bugle
 * Arild Andersen – bass, thumb piano, xylophone
 * Jon Christensen – percussion

Technical personnel

 * Manfred Eicher – producer
 * Jan Erik Kongshaug – engineer
 * B & B Wojirsch – artwork
 * Terje Engh – photography