In Touch by Yves Robert...

[tonym]

Had one of those moments yesterday - you'll all be very familiar with - in local HMV. It doesn't often happen here but i was torn between purchasing the new ECM by Yves Robert - In Touch, Anour Brahem - Les Pas du Chat Noir or spending the same money on a couple of Coltrane's Atlantic remasters plus one Columbia reissue, Ah Um by Mingus.

Went for the Robert release; very French, very modern and extremely subtle.

The leader plays trombone, but not in a hardbop way. Instead it's quite high up the register, at times very whispery and quite vocal.

Vincent Courtois is on cello which seems appropriate given the very expressive qualities of this instrument - often he sounds like tenor sax, at times like a bass played high up (which is very much in vogue).

Cyril Atef plays drums. They are modern, urgent yet non - intrusive, much as you'd expect from the label.

Shouldn't be dissmissed as 'chamber jazz' or an exercise in proficiency - it's just good music, well recorded and a bit out there.

Obviously after only a few spins i'm still trying to get my head 'round it all. Impressed though.

I'll go for the others at a later date.

I'm enjoying the board BTW.