Swiss saxophonist Gilles Torrent, perhaps known from our recent
Spiritual Jazz collection 'A Tribute to 'Trane', leads the way with his
new album 'Buleria'; a mesmerizing set of modal jazz pieces that will
speak directly to any listener who has felt the other-worldly depths of
John Coltrane. The album comprises of Torrent originals and explorations
of Coltrane standards. It reaches for something beyond the mundane, and
blends complex harmonic structures with raw, improvisational energy. The
Torrent original, 'Danse Tropical', opens the set with a contemplative
tone. Led by a sax that pulls the listener through a maze of scales and
modes, the rhythm section remains steady, creating a grounding space for
exploration.'Quannassa' drives the energy forward, and the band moves
seamlessly through shifting tensions as Torrent's saxophone searches for
answers within a pantheon ofharmonic structures.The standout track,
“Buleria” is a daring 8-minute piece, with an evolving, meditative
flamenco piece that showcases the saxophonist’s raw improvisational
skill, a spiritual journey that takes us to the windswept plains of
Iberia.
The quartet is a faithful tribute to classic modal jazz, with the
interplay between piano, bass, and drums feeling natural and organic.
They provide a harmonic foundation that encourages the
saxophone to glide and soar,pushing into new emotional territory, going
from tender and melodic to fiery and free. This interplay gives the
album its distinctive feel - while drawing from Coltrane’s influence,
it’s clear the musicians are searching for something new, something
personal.
Tracklist:
1 Danse Tropicale
2 Ouannassa
3 Bahia
4 Buleria
5 Turquoise, PT.III
6 Naima
7 Ouverture
8 Voyage De L'eau
