The Canadian duo of Ida Toninato (baritone saxophone, voice, synthesizers) and Jennifer Thiessen (viola, voice, synthesizers), plus an additional musician: Jason Sharp also credited on synthesizers, this is one of those albums where the resulting music is far more rich and creative than one would expect from the instrumentations. Of course, in having two female vocalist/multi-instrumentalists, really, anything is possible. There’s both a “post rock without the rock” feel present, and an avant pop edge to much of it, whilst it runs from moody neo classical, to ambient space jazz to many other realms, all bordering the avant-garde, yet never really steeping over the line.

Canadian artist Jean Derome and the band Somebody Special are out with the album Le sourire, and jazz is the style explored on this production. This is an intriguing and often theatrical take on jazz where old school jazz serves as a bit of a foundation. Where energetic and more laid back bass and piano driven motifs with heavy set or delicate drum and percussion patterns are in support as well as taking more dominant roles, and where the piano gets numerous occasions to shine along with the saxophone and the flute. The vocals comes with the same amount of variation as the music, from borderline operatic inspired deliveries to more soft and delicate modes of vocal execution. Some of the songs close in on the chaotic premises of free form jazz without ever actually crossing the borderline, other numbers wouldn’t be all that much out of place as the closing song on a nightclub performance at 2 AM. If a creative, expressive and somewhat theatrical variety of jazz with an old school jazz foundation sounds like music that will rock your boat, this album should have a good chance of being a rewarding listen.

This selection offers a captivating journey through the expansive landscapes of contemporary jazz and avant-garde exploration, highlighting the incredible breadth of modern improvisation. By weaving together delicate chamber textures, spirited orchestral arrangements, and the visceral energy of experimental fusion, the sequence prioritises a sense of constant discovery. From intimate melodic conversations to the sprawling, historic depths of genre-defining masterworks, these tracks reflect a shared commitment to pushing boundaries while maintaining a profound emotional resonance. This is music designed for those who appreciate the interplay between structured tradition and the thrill of the unknown.

Jean Derome, one of Ambiances Magnétiques’ founders and is one of Québec’s most celebrated musicians. Born in 1955, Derome has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards and his back-catalogue includes international collaborations with the likes of Lê Quan Ninh, Fred Frith, the Louis Sclavis Quartet, Chris Cutler, Tristan Honsinger, and Tom Cora. Le sourire features his all-star band Somebody Special and follows the approach found on their self-titled debut release: reimagining the songs of saxophonist and composer Steve Lacy. Derome leads the outfit on alto horn, bass flute and occasional voice, and enlists both collaborators from his longtime trio project (bassist Normand Guilbeault and Pierre Tanguay on drums), then adds the legendary Montréal vocalist Karen Young and the dense, elegant piano work of Alexandre Grogg. Lacy was known for his engagement with a wide range of literary texts in his songs and the authors featured here include Anna Akhmatova, Samuel Beckett, Robert Creeley, Bob Kaufman, and Judith Malina. The result may be firmly rooted in jazz, but remains committed to a vision of it as a living artform, and thus leaves ample room for playfulness and exploration.