Matthieu Bordenave: The Blue Land (LP)

For the follow-up to his ECM leader debut "La Traversée", French saxophonist Matthieu Bordenave expands his trio with German pianist Florian Weber and French bassist Patrice Moret to include the unique sensibility of drummer James Maddren, whose insistent pulse provides a deft counterpoint to the group's already idiosyncratic sound. In addition to a soulfully edgy rendition of John Coltrane's "Compassion", the quartet tackles eight Bordenave originals that bridge the gap between chamber-jazz dynamics and post-swing designs. Weber's and Bordenave's idiosyncratic approach to their instruments - Bordenave can be heard on both tenor and soprano saxophone - merge seamlessly, spinning unexpected lines over a highly interactive rhythm section. "The Blue Land" was recorded in Pernes-Les-Fontaines in 2022 and produced by Manfred Eicher.