Un trio d’avant-jazz trompette-contrebasse-batterie. Très vif, la musique bondit au visage, elle brille, elle tourne. Pourtant ce n’est pas dansant! Tout de même, Groove en a justement un, et Fourteen, à travers ses contorsions, esquisse quelque chose d’entraînant. De l’impro soutenue et parfois mordante, livrée à petites et moyennes doses (entre 2 et 10 minutes la portion). Très bon.

Altering the paradigm so that each instrument is as important as any other creates a more equitable and satisfying performance — and boosts the trumpet’s role. Toronto’s Jim Lewis, Andrew Downing and Jean Martin demonstrate this On a Short Path from Memory to Forgotten (Barnyard Records BR 0311 www.barnyardrecords.com). Consisting of 10 instant compositions, there is no foreground or background instrument. One tune for example could be a capriccio, as Lewis’ joyful trumpet blasts define the theme; another is dependent on Downing’s thumping bass pulsations; and almost all are illuminated more by the splashes of multiphonic color Martin creates with gamelan-like bell tones and triangle resonation than a steady beat from his regular kit. Showcasing Lewis’ phrasing, which ranges from staccato heraldic blasts to graceful flutters, is Eight, the tune in which his moderated a capella puffs give way to a rubato, double-time version of theme and finally to aviary chirps plus whistling resounds. These intertwine with martial rolls and rebounds from Martin and walking slap bass from Downing.