Travelers

Travelers
Release Date: 2018-02-16
Available now on:

Label

ECM

Personnel

Nicolas Masson: tenor and soprano saxophones, clarinet
Colin Vallon: piano
Patrice Moret: double bass
Lionel Friedli: drums

Description

After two ECM albums with the cooperative trio Third Reel, Swiss reedman Nicolas Masson presents a quartet for which he is the sole composer. The group has existed for a decade with unchanged personnel, touring as Nicolas Masson’s Parallels, and the leader’s writing for it always encourages creative responses from the players. Amid the changing musical landscapes in which these travellers move, you will encounter some of Colin Vallon’s prettiest ballad playing, richly melodic bass from Patrice Moret, and subtle drum commentary from Lionel Friedli. Plus, of course, plenty of Masson’s pure-toned saxophone and elegant clarinet. Travelers was recorded at Auditorio Stelio Molo in Lugano in April 2017, and produced by Manfred Eicher.

Album Review

Travelers is both another potential modern masterpiece for the label, and the album that should rightfully bring the same international attention that Masson and his band mates so deservingly enjoy in their native Switzerland. Simply put: Travelers is an album not to be missed.
- John Kelman, Allaboutjazz