Within François Carrier

Editorial Reviews

François Carrier is a peculiar sax player. His name started popping up more and more in free improv circles during the 2000s, but he already had a long track record in modern jazz circles by then. And even in free improv settings, this Montrealer always retains a highly melodic approach. This puts him closer to Steve Lacy than to Evan Parker or John Butcher. So it came as little surprise when he and his longtime partner, drummer Michel Lambert, teamed up with former Lacy sideman Jean-Jacques Avenel for a string of Canadian dates. Within documents their concert at the Calgary Jazz Festival, on June 24, 2007. It's a gripping date, feverish and moving. The magic operates from the first note. Carrier and Lambert are a tightly knit team, but they are also used to opening up their musical relationship to other improvisers, and they literally embrace Avenel's bass playing. Switching between alto and soprano sax, Carrier churns out graceful melodies over a free rhythm section that reacts to his mood swings without following him too closely. On the album, the music is presented in three pieces (there seems to be an edit between parts one and two). "Part 1" is a delicate and lovely piece. The 40-minute "Part 2" sees the trio exploring a number of moods, with Carrier stretching from a tender tone to a screech, and the rhythm section reaching an impressive level of telepathic playing. "Part 3" kicks off on high energy mode before letting Avenel take a well-deserved "guest spot." Within is Carrier and Lambert's strongest outing on a free improv label yet. If you haven't noticed them yet, now's the time. ~ François Couture, Rovi All Music Guide

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