In the early '90s, Henri Texier went on to form a new quartet (Azur) around a new rhythm section featuring pianist Bojan Zulfikarpasic and drummer TonyRabeson. At the time, the combo was rounded out by the very much underrated Glenn Ferris on trombone. An Indian’s Week documents the first steps of this quartet and, on a couple of tracks, also showcases two pillars of French jazz -- Michel Portal on bandoneon and Louis Sclavis on clarinets and soprano saxophone. The album can easily be remembered as the birth of one of France's best and tightest rhythm sections. It is also a great opportunity to hear at full length Glenn Ferris, a versatile and sensitive musician, exploring all the different aspects of his instrument. The program is composed of compositions penned by all bandmembers, plus a colorful and breakneck rendition of Sonny Rollins’"The Bridge." Despite this variety, this is an extremely cohesive set because of the original sound the quartet have already developed. The highlight is Texier’s own "Indians/Desaparecido," a slow and dark piece in which Ferris’ wah-wah style works surprisingly well when pitted against Sclavis’ glistening clarinet. The overall mood oscillates between playful and mournful moments, with pieces that reflect Texier’s political and social concerns. An Indian Week marks a turn in Henri Texier’s career and is a first step in the right direction. - Alain Drouot
Tracks
01. Lundi (Henri Texier)
02. Laguna Veneta (Henri Texier)
03. Mardi (Henri Texier)
04. Stanislas (Tony Rabeson)
05. Mercredi (Henri Texier)
06. Cyclosis (Glen Ferris)
07. Jeudi (Henri Texier)
08. Indians / Desaparecido (Henri Texier)
09. Simone Signoret (Henri Texier)
10. Vendredi (Henri Texier)
11. Amazone Blues (Henri Texier)
12. Samedi (Henri Texier)
13. Tzigane (Henri Texier)
14. Mâshala (Bojan Zulfikarpasic)
15. Samedi Soir (Henri Texier)
16. The Bridge (Sonny Rollins)
17. Dimanche (Henri Texier)
18. Don’t Buy Ivory, Anymore (Henri Texier)
19. Dimanche Soir (Henri Texier)
20. Laguna Laita (Henri Texier)
21. Lundi (Henri Texier)
MICHEL PORTAL bandoneon (2) (20)
LOUIS SCLAVISclarinet, soprano saxophone (2) (20)
HENRI TEXIER bass, percussion
TONY RABESON drums
BOJAN ZULFIKARPASIC piano, fender rhodes electric piano
GLENN FERRIS trombone
Recorded on 11, 12 & 13 January, 1993 at Studio Acousti
Label Bleu – LBLC 6558