Masafat is the work of a trio: Kiya Tabassian on setar, and shuranguiz, both Persian string instruments plus violin, Pierre-Yves Martel on prepared contrabass and Ziya Tabassian on percussion. Ziya Tabassian is specialized in early as well as contemporary music. He released a solo album on Ambiances Magnetiques earlier, experimenting with old Persian music and improvisation. Kiya Tabassian received his initial training in Persian music and studied composition in Montréal later. He is co-founder of Constantinople, an ensemble that concentrates on medieval and renaissance music. Kiya and Pierre are also member of this ensemble. With Masafat, meaning “Distance” they joined for an adventurous undertaking: free improvisation combined with traditional Persian music and instruments. Not in every aspect a satisfying release. Sometimes it is a bit too amorph and unfocused for my taste. Maybe I’m not familiar enough with the grammar of eastern music. Anyway, there are also some very strong moments, like the opening of Casselma or the middle section of Dungevan. Or the bluesy tune Gatineau.

Again an irresistible work I have reviewed several other CDs by Berthiaume for Vital Weekly. The continuity in his releases consists in choosing for each release a new musical direction. Earlier works embrace his improvisations with Bailey and Frith. Also he made CD of very accessible easy listening jazz, etc. He seems to feel at home in many different musical contexts. So I’m always curious what will be the next step by Berthiaume. With Small Tease he shows his affection for folk music. For those who know his western-folkgroup Rodéoscopique, this will be no surprise. Small Tease is again a very accessible music, albeit thoroughly constructed and played with great skill. The CD counts 11 pieces. Five of them feature Berthiaume playing solo guitar, dobro or banjo. The other six pieces are for different line ups, with drummer Stefan Schneider, Rémi-Jean Leblanc on doublebass, Rick Haworth on pedal steel, and a string trio with Jennifer Thiessen, Améline Chauvette Groulx and Erika Donald.

The Rent is a Toronto-based quintet of Kyle Brenders (soprano sax), Nich Fraser (drums), Susanna Hood (voice), Wes Neal (bass) and Scott Thomson (trombone). They pay a tribute to Steve Lacy, by playing several of his compositions. I’m not very familiar with the work by Lacy, who left a gigantic œuvre and was inspired on his turn by Thelonious Monk. If this is the same for you, I guess The Rent offers you a good opportunity to change this. It swings but is a bit cerebral too at the same time. The Rent give a very inspired interpretation of Lacy’s compositions that never sound outdated. With Musique de Steve Lacy, The Rent offers a fine tribute to Lacy and his compositional talent, and they bring a convincing first record to your attention.

After their joyful CD with works by Lars Hollmer, who sadly died in 2008, Fanfare Pourpour now returns with a bunch of self-made compositions. One of them is again a homage to Lars Hollmer. And in a way this ensemble is close to the spirit of Hollmer’s repertoire. Folk-based music with dominant melodic and harmonic features. Many of the members of this ensemble we know from more experimental and unusual music. But in Fanfare Pourpour they celebrate their love for accessible dance tunes coming from a diversity of traditions. The title track Danse des Breloques has balkan roots, but elements of tango, waltzes, pasodoble, chanson, etc. also pass by.