Mathieu Donarier – Coastline

Mathieu Donarier waited until he was approaching fifty to record as the leader of a quartet and devote an entire album to the soprano saxophone.

This tells us how this opus reflects the mature talent of a musician whose career we have followed for more than two decades in duos or trios, not to mention numerous collaborations with instrumentalists of the caliber of Daniel Humair and Stéphane Kerecki.

It is this eminent bassist that he called upon for Coastline, where he is joined by two equally eminent companions: Sophia Domancich and Simon Goubert.

Why the choice of soprano alone?

Because Donarier has carried the music of Steve Lacy within him since adolescence, and it is to this glorious elder that the saxophonist intends to pay tribute with original compositions inspired by him. From Lacy, Donarier has inherited a richly timbred sound, a straight sound that works wonders across the entire range of the instrument. And it is a treat to hear him explore the timbre of his saxophone in inspired improvisations whose contours we follow with delight. As for the accompaniment provided by his fellow musicians, it is of the highest quality, as one would expect from musicians of this caliber. Sophia Domancich‘s piano—whose sound is as sumptuous as ever—is always on the alert, delivering refined chords and constantly inventive melodic lines. Stéphane Kerecki‘s double bass is, as always, admirably deep and provides imperial support with its familiar powerful sound.

As for Simon Goubert, he provides beautifully polyrhythmic and melodic drumming and supports the ensemble with constant relevance.

This is a major album that crowns the discography of a musician who has continued to delight us over the years.