La Diversité: Last Train Jazz Essential Recordings #3

Until I stumbled across a secondhand copy of this 2017 release in Ray's, I'd only previously come across Belgian tenor saxophonist Nicolas Kummert on Flow, the 2015 outing from Drifter, fronted by labelmate Alexi Tuomarila. I'd seen the album promotions but not heard it, so my decision to exchange hard-earned wedge for it was based on the presence of mind-bogglingly talented Beninese guitarist, Lionel Loueke. That, and the reliably high-quality output of Edition Records - I hope their A&R team are on a seriously good bonus scheme!

I wasn't disappointed on first play, although this album does improve with repeated listening - two years down the line, it gets a regular spin on my HiFi. 

Though Kummert composed all the originals here, this album sounds much like a joint venture between the saxophonist and Loueke, who makes the most of the ample space he's allowed. Stripped-down duets like Gnossienne à deux and And what if we're not? crackle with so much jam-session like spontaneity that they're standout tracks on an album brimming with great compositions. And that's not to overlook the contributions of drummer Karl Jannuska and Nicolas Thys, whose driving double bass securely anchors the front men's free-flowing approach. 

This is a recording that resists pigeon-holing - by turns beautifully melodious, free, avant-garde, wistful... Kummert's tenor sound is simply irresistible throughout: clear tone coupled with precision of attack, occasional breathy overtones and overblowing. He and Loueke strike sparks off each other on every tune. 

We get two interpretations each of eccentric French classical composer Eric Satie's Gnossienne and Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah. That the band makes the latter - decidedly overplayed in the media following the Canadian miserabalist's death - sound as fresh as it does here, is testament enough to the musicianship on display. And the band rocks out on Well be alright, which sounds like they had great fun recording.

If you don't have this in your collection, do yourself a favour and buy it now.