Floaty flute and a cool Levantine swagger here from a small group of French based musicians led by flautist composer Naïssam Jalal. The double bassist Claude Tchamitchian here is familiar from fine Andy Emler album The Useful Report we reviewed last year makes a strong contribution as does cellist Clément Petit while drummer Zaza Desiderio delivers enough heat for a swirling sense to add drama. This couldn't be more different to the Emler album, hymns to natural elements whether moon, forest, wind or river you enter Jalal's mystic world and linger long. It ain't jazz (given the strictness of metre and the different musical accents deployed) but comes close enough in its blend and feeling to count and be of interest. Do we get healed? No - but good try.
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