Alto saxophonist
François Carrier has put together a compelling group of original compositions for this studio meeting with pianist
Uri Caine, bassist
Pierre Côté, and drummer
Michel Lambert. The intriguing opener, "Karuna," never follows a predictable path, always conveying an air of mystery in a blend of post-bop and avant-garde.
Lambert introduces "Entrance 3" with a furious solo, with a delayed entrance by
Carrier and
Caine playing in unison in a insistent military cadence before the piece takes flight into pure improvisation. Both "Enfants de Ciel" (with
Carrier strongly suggesting the influence of
John Coltrane) and "Jeu" (built upon a series of strident exchanges between the musicians) were improvised on the spot. The title of the tense "As Crazy As" may suggests schizophrenia, but the quartet's seeming chaos has a method to its madness. This is superb music by advanced musicians who refuse to settle for the status quo. ~ Ken Dryden