Vincent Courtois, Robin Fincker & Daniel Erdmann – Lines for Lions

The title of this CD is almost identical to that of a composition by Gerry Mulligan, “Lines for Lyons,” recorded by his quartet seven decades ago.

This reflects the relationship between the trio of Vincent Courtois, Daniel Erdmann and Robin Fincker and the West Coast aesthetic, already apparent in their previous opus (reviewed here two years ago) and alluded to by the blue sky and palm trees on the CD cover.

But the connection ends there because, more than half a century after Mulligan’s quartet and other groups from the US West Coast such as Chico Hamilton’s quintet (which already featured a cello), this European trio has no intention of reviving the Californian aesthetic.

Firstly, because all the compositions are penned by the trio’s members and only clearly reference the West Coast in “Lion’s Den,” a tongue-in-cheek theme that could have been written by Jimmy Giuffre or Shorty Rogers.

Secondly, because the improvisations of the three companions are resolutely modern, even sometime close to free jazz, while remaining eminently melodic.

Finally, because the trio’s sound is completely original and innovative. The interweaving of the sumptuous sound of Vincent Courtois‘ cello—played sometimes with a bow, sometimes pizzicato— , Robin Fincker‘s crystal-clear saxophone and clarinet, and Daniel Erdmann‘s more hazy tenor saxophone is a constant pleasure, and the intertwining melodic lines are stunningly beautiful and original.

In other words it’s an intense pleasure to listen to this new recording by a group which, after more than ten years of existence, still offers music of invigorating freshness and constant inventiveness that takes us far away on a journey that is sometimes gentle, sometimes energetic.