Genealogy
Justin Time, 2021
9/10
A Montreal outfit who have enjoyed a 4 year career so far, CODE quartet use both composing and improvising as Adrian Vedady, Christine Jensen, Lex French and Jim Doxas take influence from Ornette Coleman across these 8 carefully crafted tracks.
“Tipsy” starts the listen with soulful trumpet from French as Jensen’s smooth sax and crisp drumming from Doxas accent the warm mood, and “Watching It All Slip Away” follows with a breezy, dreamy approach that’s not short on brass exploration, either.
At the halfway point, “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” puts a very thoughtful spin on the traditional where Vedady’s strategic acoustic bass lines flow amid adventurous drumming and bright trumpet, while “Wind Up” enters a busy climate of playful, timeless jazz dynamics that sounds as relevant today as it would have decades ago.
Landing near the end, “Day Moon” delivers a stylish and animated landscape of strong interaction between the quartet, and “Beach Community” exits the listen with all the players taking their turn in the spotlight as the skilled rhythm section doesn’t disappoint.
Even though several of the tunes here surpass the 7 minute mark, nothing out welcomes its stay as CODE Quartet showcase much talent, charming synergy and songwriting chops that warrant repeated listens.
Travels well with: Dan Pitt Quintet- Wrongs; TuneTown- Entering Utopia