Alban Darche sometimes sounds a bit like
Lee Konitz, and at other times his group with guitarist
Gábor Gadó and bassist
Sebastien Boisseau hints at the
Jimmy Giuffre 3. On this intriguing set sponsored by several arts organizations in Budapest, Hungary,
Darche sometimes features his trio, at other times showcases the RTQ String Quartet and on some pieces has the two groups interacting with each other. The music is impressionistic in spots, often melodic, sometimes strongly influenced by classical music, at times fairly free in its improvising and always thoughtful. It holds up well under several listenings and reveals
Alban Darche to not only be a fine saxophonist but a creative arranger-composer.