Alain Bédard Auguste Quartet: Circum Continuum

Alain Bédard is a Canadian jazz bassist residing in Quebec. He has had a profound influence on Quebec's jazz scene and has played with the majority of professional jazz musicians in that province. His new album, under the moniker Auguste Quartet is titled Circum Continuum and has been released on the artists own label Effendi Records which he formed in 1999 with Carole Therrien.

Circum Continuum is a modern post-bop affair that dazzles with wonderful musicianship throughout the album's thirteen tracks. This talented foursome is Félix Stussi (piano), Samuel Blais (alto and soprano saxophones, bari), Alain Bédard (acoustic bass) and Michel Lambert (drums).

Highlights include the rapid fire drum and sax intro in "Blue Mitch" and their ensuing solos, the complicated "Les Voiles" where the bass, sax and piano solos absolutely shine and the bopping groove of "Chikako" where the cymbal work of Lambert reigns supreme. The delicate drum work in "La Silva Major" is another high point, especially when the saxophone enters with the best of melodic intentions. More excellent solos can be found on the opening track "Coupures" where the playing is really quite imaginative. The melodic sax work and sentimental piano in the grooving "Oelo" is also worth mentioning.

There are no bad tracks here and the musicianship is of extremely high caliber with the band in complete unison. For that reason Circum Continuum earns an excellent four stars.

Track Listing:
1. Coupures (3:43)
2. La Silva Major (3:05)
3. Face Time Oracle (5:36)
4. Circum Continuum (5:07)
5. Chikako (2:45)
6. Les Voiles (5:46)
7. Blue Mitch (5:17)
8. Oelo (4:53)
9. Umami De Seine (4:32)
10. Vrai, Faux Printemps (7:26)
11. Noirceur Passagère (3:02)
12. Garissa (5:56)
13. Le Gras Mollet (2:12)

Added: August 11th 2016
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Label's Official Site
Hits: 1379
Language: english

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