It Should've Happened a Long Time Ago is an album by the Paul Motian Trio recorded in July 1984 and released on ECM March the following year. The trio features guitarist Bill Frisell and tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano—the three had previously recorded together on Psalm (1982), The Story of Maryam (1984), and Jack of Clubs (1985) in Motian's quintet.

Reception

The AllMusic review by Thom Jurek stated: "This is one of the finest recordings that came from ECM in the '80s. Paul Bley led another, which featured Motian and Frisell—as well as John Surman. This set is made of the kind of music that made Manfred Eicher's ECM such a force to be reckoned with. It placed three musicians in a context that was comfortable enough to make them want to sing to one another."

Track listing

All compositions by Paul Motian

Personnel

Paul Motian Trio