Bassist Henri Texier leads an all-star quintet bolstered by the presence of special guest Joe Lovano on tenor sax in this live 1986 recording. While Texier either wrote or co-wrote many of the selections, he amply features his musicians while not taking much of the solo spotlight for himself. The leader's energetic post-bop cooker "Zentral Motiv is a potent opener, highlighted by strong solos from Lovano and Louis Sclavis on soprano sax. The eerie "Baton Rouge" is a slow-to-develop group improvisation, with guitarist Philippe Deschepper prominent in the mix and explosive bursts bySclavis on bass clarinet. The four-part suite "Grillage" blends several different contributions by the quintet's members. "Paris Batignolles" is a joyous celebration, with the blend of reeds almost suggesting an accordion. This fun-filled concert is warmly recommended. - Ken Dryden
Tracks
1. Zentral Motive (Henri Texier)
2. Baton Rouge (Deschepper/Lovano/Sclavis/Texier)
3. La Louisiane (Joe Lovano)
4. Grillagel Seul Contre Tous/Jall/Grillage/Cavale (Mahieux/Sclavis/Texier)
5. Paris Batignolles (Henri Texier)
6. Noises (Henri Texier)
JACQUES MAHIEUX drums
JOE LOVANO tenor saxophone
HENRI TEXIER doublé bass, cymbals, chinese gong, bendir
PHILIPPE DESCHEPPER guitar, piccolo-guitar
LOUIS SCLAVIS bass clarinet, soprano saxophone, baritone saxophone
Recorded live May 21, 1986 at “LE TEMPS DU JAZZ” International Jazz festival of Amiens in le Grande Théâtre de la Maison de la Culture.
LABEL BLEU – LBLC 6506 France
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