"It took more than 30 years for the paths of these two French jazz giants to cross, and such encounters always raise a lot of expectations. Their different concept of freedom in music is surely what kept them apart for so long. Solal's cerebral piano playing can be perceived as a sharp contrast to Portal's emotional clarinet and saxophone playing style. This probably explains why "Fast Mood" seems to be the pianist's date. The session does not leave much room for spontaneity, and the relatively short pieces do not give either musician the chance to stretch out. "Duo à 3 Voix," which features overdubs, also suggests that their duets were well planned and rehearsed. But the compositions are often enticing, and their moodiness and concision surely justify the album's title. It is also a real pleasure to hear Portal following Solal in his every twist and turn, but there are too few sparks to make this opus a truly convincing effort. This will surely please fans of Solal and Portal." (Alain Drouot, Allmusic)
"French pianist, composer, and bandleader Martial Solal's intuitive approach to improvisation has earned him an honored place among the greatest minds in all of jazz. When you speak of piano virtuosos like Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson, Martial Solal also has to be included in the conversation. Every concert is a happening and each recording an event, and at age 80 he shows no signs of slowing down. The evidence is irrefutable as displayed on this solo piano offering. A truly brilliant conceptualist and completely inventive performer who takes no prisoners and allows all of his risk-taking to succeed, Solal is at the top of the mountain artistically." (Michael G. Nastos, Allmusic) De fantasierijke manier waarop hij hier standards als "Caravan" binnenstebuiten keert is uniek en haast bizar. In het hart van het album staan ook drie eigen stukken die niet onderdoen voor de overige stukken, van o.a. Gershwin en Ellington.
"French pianist, composer, and bandleader Martial Solal's intuitive approach to improvisation has earned him an honored place among the greatest minds in all of jazz. Thoroughly versed in the tradition from big-band swing to bop and post-bop, Solal has also composed chamber music, written scores for more than 20 films, and recorded more than 50 albums as soloist and leader. For more than half a century, Solal personified the cross-pollinated splendor of European jazz by utilizing styles and influences from both sides of the Atlantic. Although it's a little restrained and predictable, "Just Friends" is a lovely latter-day effort from pianist Martial Solal. Supported by a small group, he runs through a set of brisk, melodic hard-bop that is quite lively and entertaining. There's not much musical variation here, but the music is sweet and charming, and worth the time of fans of classicist jazz piano." (Arwulf Arwulf & Leo Stanley, Allmusic)
Uit 2000. Een 12-koppige mini-bigband rond pianist/bandleider Solal speelt opmerkelijke, hoogst originele, vindingrijk verknipte arrangementen van Ellington/Strayhorn-stukken. Complex, uitdagend, opwindend... kortom: superlatieven uitlokkend!
Fantasierijke moderne bigbandstukken van de Algerijns-Franse pianist/componist uitgevoerd door z'n eigen trio en (vooral) het Danish Radio Jazz Orchestra, gedrild tot een superstrakke eenheid door dirigent Jim McNeely.
Opname: 2007
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