Since their days being part of Martial Solal’s trio, brothers Francois/b and Louis/dr Moutin have put together a wide swath of small group sessions. This latest is their most distinct, bringing in guitar from Manu Codjia, Christophe Monniot/s saxes and Paul Lay on piano. The result is a rich collection of impressionistic post bop themes, which can range from Middle Eastern mysticism on “No Human Is Illegal” to bluesy swing on “Fight and Anger.”
Codjia makes his presence known as he teams with Monniot’s soprano on the melancholic “Tears and Despair” while adding some effects to the ESPish “Blessed and Cursed.” Some rocking drumming on the dark “Forward” is kinetic, while brother’s hum along on a hip bluesy duet during “Wayne’s Medley.” An indie feel pulses along with guitar and alto sax on the hip “Summer Twilight” along with vocal support y Exelle Du Rouret” and the team slides into a pair of nifty pulses on “In Love” and “Take It Easy.” Atmophere’s with a beat.