Matthieu Bordenave

For the follow-up of his ECM-leader-debut, 'La traversee', French saxophonist Matthieu Bordenave expands his trio of German pianist Florian Weber and French bassist Patrice Moret with the unique sensibilities of drummer James Maddren, whose unrelenting pulse adds deft counterpoint to the group's already idiosyncratic sound.

Beyond the soulfully angular rendering of John Coltrane's "Compassion", the quartet tackles eight Bordenave-originals that bridge the gap between chamberjazz dynamics and post-swing designs. Weber and Bordenave's oblique approach to their instruments - Bordenave can be heard on both tenor and soprano sax - coalesce seamlessly, spinning unanticipated lines over a highly interactive rhythm section.