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Michel Edelin Quartet: Resurgence
ByIt's a tight group which benefits from the lengthy shared experience, manifest in the confidence and exuberance with which they navigate Edelin's imaginative modern mainstream arrangements. Edelin never wastes a note, elegantly furthering his narrative with each breath, often pitching himself against the group tempo to create a dynamic tension. The leader 's assured flute lines provide the solidity around which his bandmates orbit. That's particularly the case with Avenel who takes a prominent contrapuntal role throughout, giving the set much of its character and interest, as Goubert takes care of business with his tuneful cadences.
Even though there is a high degree of consistency, some cuts stand out. Foremost among them, "Jet Lag" features Avenel in melodic and rhythmically astute duet with both woodwinds, initially in cautious exchanges with Di Donato's voice-like bass clarinet, then after an involved unison, in mellifluous consort with Edelin's flute. Other highlights include "Errance Carminée" where a perky staccato theme, recalling the bassist's erstwhile employer, carries over to imbue both solos and ensembles with a stuttering urgency, the knotty "Witches" where overlapping riffs distributed around the group underpin a magisterial flute excursion, and "Tristezza Della Diva" where a mournful air for Edelin and Di Donato's clarinet leads to a disquieting colloquy of harmonics. On this showing, it would be a shame if we had to wait another 18 years before hearing more from this accomplished quartet.
Track Listing
Simon's Bubbles; Danse avec l’ours; Old and Beautiful Story; Tristezza della diva; Le chat et la souris; Errance carminée; Jet Lag; Tales of Seven Lizards; Bailes de tango; Witches; Black Snow.
Personnel
Michel Edelin
fluteMichel Edelin: flauto, flauto contralto, flauto basso; Jacques Di Donato: clarinetto, clarinetto basso, sax soprano; Jean-Jacques Avenel: contrabbasso; Simon Goubert: batteria.
Album information
Title: Resurgence | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Rogue Art
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