Harbour
Nettwerk/Justin Time, 2024
9/10
The esteemed saxophonist and composer Christine Jensen leads a 19 piece orchestra through a set of originals that use plenty of improvisation along the way.
“Passing Lions Gate” opens the listen with plenty of ambience, as much textured brass radiates amid the electronics from Ingrid Jensen, and “Swirlaround” follows with soothing winds and Chet Doxas’ luminous tenor sax that emits much beauty.
“Surge” and “Harbour” land in the middle. The former is populated by Gary Versace’s gorgeous piano and rich horns plus Jon Wikan’s frisky drums, while the latter is an intimate moment of reflection that benefits much from Steve Raegele’s meticulous guitar playing.
The last track, “Fantasy On Blue”, is a lively finisher, where a strong collaboration among the orchestra dances around no lack of melody and warmth.
Jensen is already a JUNO Award Winner, and it’s likely this superb body of work will garner her more praise, where Ingrid’s contributions on trumpet and electronics, plus the widespread use of electric and acoustic elements only heightens the experience.
Travels well with: Doxas Brothers- The Circle; Roxy Cross- Disparate Parts