Moutin Reunion Quartet: Something Like Now

Paris-born bassist François and drummer Louis Moutin continue their brand of in your face (more correctly in your ear) jazz that sharply illustrates of contemporary bop sensibilities. Previous recordings and extensive gigs in Europe and the US have earned them respect among critics and fans as musicians dedicated to fresh compositions and vigorous performance.

Since their musical reunion in 1999, the brothers have led various quartets with a focus on performing original material. Now pianist Pierre de Bethmann's vivid keys and Rick Margitza's muscular saxophone complete the quartet, once again solidifying a recording with strong performances.

As the rhythmic foundation, the brothers Moutin are as tight and creative as ever. On the labyrinth patterns of "Take It Easy," they swing with intensity and complement one another's abilities intuitively as François brings a robust bass solo to fuse with Louis's driving percussion. This also takes place on the lovely ballad "Surrendering, which features thoughtful solos supported by whispery drum brushwork.

This articulation is conveyed in the writing of many of the compositions, such as the mellow "Echoing or the high stepping bounce of "Touch and Go. Like the '80s fusion group Steps Ahead, this band skillfully mixes modern textures with a standard quartet sound.

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