New Leaves
Ride Symbol, 2021
8/10
The guitar extraordinaire Dan Rose is in the company of Claudine Francois here, whose inimitable piano work helps illuminate the diverse mix of covers and originals.
The album leads with “The New Leaf”, where Francois' elegant keys and Rose’s sublime guitar interact in a soothing, warm and inviting landscape, and “Monk’s Dream” follows with a quicker pace of playful melodies that dance around the spirited instrumentation of the Thelonious Monk tune.
Close to the middle, “Le Désert” flows with a dreamy quality, as the guitar and keys both display much beauty, while “Senor Blues” emits an upbeat and indeed bluesy display of exceptional skill. “Lawns”, a particularly noteworthy tune, is then full of complicated progressions amid a nostalgic climate.
“Mr. Slaint”, a late album highlight, then flirts with the blues in an exciting delivery, and “The Seagulls Of Kristiansund” finishes the listen gentle and full of dynamic chemistry between the pair, who have been playing together on and off for 30 years.
Francois has a background in classical sounds, which is quite prevalent here, as is her jazz leanings, and Rose’s unparalleled guitar playing only further solidifies New Leaves as a first rate fusion listen for the jazz lovers.
Travels well with: Dan Rose- Last Night; Reza Khan- Imaginary Road