Fresh Sound/New Talent
Nicolas Masson: saxophone Ben Monder: guitar Patrice Moret: acoustic bass Ted Poor: drums
This is the edge of wispy and ethereal free jazz, kind of Jimmy Guiffre meets John Abercrombie. The Swiss Masson, tenor saxophone and clarinet specialist is deft with the pen and score, summoning Eastern and Western influencesfrom the Balkan- sounding "Amber" to the airy and clever title piece. Guitarist Ben Monder nails down this pianoless rhythm section, blowing the playing space wide open. The edges are too rough for ECM, where this music would otherwise sound at home. But Masson is too restless and ambitious to bend to that sound. There is much to admire here.