Papasoff

• Artist: Charles Papasoff
• Rating:
• Release Date: March 03, 1993
• Total Time: 48:52
• Genre: Jazz

Review

This CD was Montreal saxophonist Charles Papasoff's first album as a leader, and the first release from the avant-garde jazz label Red Toucan. It focuses on the saxophonist's playing more than on his writing, especially in the quartet pieces. The album opens on a soprano saxophone solo, "You Can't Escape Your Destiny," a delicate melody. Following are four quartet tracks recorded with trumpeter Baikida Carroll, bassist Santi Debriano, and drummer Pheeroan Aklaff. Each musician contributed a composition for this section, with Aklaff's "Serious" stealing the show. Here, Papasoff plays his baritone saxophone (his instrument of choice) like a demented animal. The energy simmers down for the last two tracks. "Variations sur le Lac de la Lune" is a duet for flute and piano (with Jean Beaudet) based on film music written by Papasoff. Almost pastoral, it contrasts heavily with the churning baritone opening of "Fruit Loops," a piece of multi-tracked flute, baritone, and soprano saxophone. Could the title be a wink at Didier Malherbe's "Flute Salad" (on Gong's album Angel's Egg)? The piece foretells Papasoff's next project, the International Baritone Conspiracy. This CD is a typical career-launching album, a calling card showing the man's aptitude as a composer and versatility as a player. It lacks a bit of cohesion, but holds a handful of promises that will blossom later on throughout his '90s releases. ~ François Couture, Rovi

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