Quartet Music Vol. 1: LuMiSong/Quartet Music Vol. II: Kardamon Fall
Out Of Your Head, 2024
9/10
Listen to Quartet Music Vol. 1: LuMiSong
The inimitable sax player Michaël Attias is joined by Santiago Leibson, Sean Conly, Matt Pavolka, Mark Ferber, Christopher Hoffman and Tom Rainey for these 2 discs of avant-garde jazz sounds that serve as Attias’ first time as bandleader in 7 years.
Vol. 1 leads with Leibson’s flowing keys before Pavolka’s playful bass and Attias’ fluid sax enter the mesmerizing climate, and “Mister Softee Is A Font” follows with Ferber’s animated drums and the unpredictable sax that touches on timeless jazz nods.
Vol. 2 begins with strong attention to mood, where the soft keys and soulful sax emit much intimacy thanks to “Kardamon Fall”, while “Avrils” benefits much from Rainey’s soft drums amid elegance and dreaminess.
Closer to the end, “Bobulated” showcases Conly’s unpredictable bass that suits the rich and adventurous album highlight, and “The Angel Fold” exits with profound cautiousness and mystery thanks to the 4 player’s reserved contributions.
Although the the bass and drum chairs are different between the discs, the creativity is consistent, as Attais and company mesh contemporary jazz and Post-Romanticism with tonality, harmony and enlightening dynamics that draw us in from beginning to end.
Travels well with: Nick Dunston- Colla Voce; Alfredo Colón- Blood Burden