Flu(o): Encore Remuants

This French quintet—part of the musicians collective Muzzix, in Lille, and known before as Impression—presents current European jazz at its best. Immediate and restless as its album name suggests, it is inclusive, experimental and inventive, all without subscribing to any labels.

Encore Remuants, all the challenging compositions, except the free improvised "Fluo," were written by drummer Peter Orins—who, together with trumpet player Christian Pruvost, makes up the French half of the quartet KAZE with Japanese pianist Satoko Fujii and trumpeter {Natsuki Tamura}}. Orins wisely employs the individual characteristics of each musician, weaving an eclectic tapestry of arresting sounds and textures.

The opening "Dévorait l'air" begins with a simple cyclical rhythmic pattern that is abandoned for a series of brief sound researches by Pruvost, pianist Stefan Orins (brother of Peter), and guitarist Olivier Benoit, who turns his sonic experiments into beautiful, lyrical melody that changes again its course into a muscular rhythm as the composition approaches its coda. "Frigorifique" contrasts between Pruvost's fiery experiments with air circulation and a disciplined, dense and solid structure.

"Annam" moves between clear, melodic lines and minimalist, loose articulations that both organically interact, contributing to the composition's cohesive power. "Fluo" is more playful, and the fast and nervous rock interplay of this improvisation suggest humor, irony and game-like interactions. "Toujours remuants" continues, with similar dense and tight rock energy, led with Benoit's soaring guitar solo.

The album closes with "Polly," featured before on KAZE's Rafale (Circum Disc, 2011). The arrangement here still keeps its experimental elements, highlighted by Pruvost's highly inventive extended techniques of breathing and air circulations, but stresses more its dramatic structure with more muscular power, through Orins' impressive, orchestrated drums solo.

Flu(o) is a quintet with strong, independent identity.