Any jazz group that includes US-schooled Beninese guitarist Lionel Loueke is likely to have a strong world-music flavour, and this new quartet – led by double-bass legend Dave Holland and completed by virtuoso saxist Chris Potter and drummer Eric Harland – brims over with Latin, Caribbean and African influences. Harland’s foxily rocking backbeat on Aziza’s Dance shifts via a very catchy guitar hook into a cool and slinky jazz-rock cruiser while Potter’s inventiveness and playfulness spring surprises all through the set without sacrificing the groove.
The saxophonist’s Summer 15 has a soft Caribbean sway; the long and sinewy Blue Sufi powerfully mixes a staccato and stuttery tenor sax opening over Loueke’s jangling chordwork and features some gracefully rolling improv from Holland; while the haunting Friends features Potter at his most fluent. Sleepless Night, with its snorty unison line and Africanised vocal chant, unleashes the most uninhibited playing from a band that promises to be killer live.
01. Aziza Dance
02. Summer 15
03. Walkin' the Walk
04. Aquila
05. Blue Sufi
06. Finding the Light
07. Friends
08. Sleepless Night
Chris Potter - Saxophone
Lionel Loueke - Guitar
Eric Harland - Drums
