Parachute

When they get around to writing the obituaries for Jacques Pirotton, future jazz historians will no doubt highlight the succession of elective affinities that pepper his career. Affinities that have been highly constructive, as at the end of each episode the guitarist entered a new phase with new musical strings in his bow (…).

Alongside him, Fabrice Alleman picks up the instrument of his early days, one that is under-used in modern jazz: the clarinet, and even a bass clarinet.

To this two-headed environment that first hatched as an acoustic duo is added the most melodious of electric basses. Benoît Vanderstraeten is an old sparring partner of Pirotton (remember the albums "Artline", Jokari" and "Soty"). Add to this the percussive lacework of Jan de Haas on drums, the undisputed swing drummer of Belgian jazz.

These gentle terrorists of the musical adventure, subtle dealers of bitter nursery rhymes and child-like savagery, bring us on a new exploration of the Big Blue.

A new synergy in the form of a synthesis where the accent is placed on colour and variety – in the sounds, from quasi-acoustic to synthesizers; in the structures; in the influences with a world excursion on "K-Dra"; a clear nod to rock energy on "Chinese Doll";  libertarian overflows on "Untitled" and "December 13"; beguiling melodies on "Parachute" and "Canicule"; and the superbly acrobatic theme on "Primitive".

At the end of the day, you get a well-oiled quartet that is open and creative, to be enjoyed without moderation.