Frederic Alarie

Fr: Tap Bass

by Paul Olson
December 3, 2004

Jazz, by its very nature, is a sharing act. Any musical format based on group improvisation cannot help but be about sharing and, to some extent, democracy. Tap Bass , journeyman Montreal bassist Frédéric Alarie's sixth album as a leader (and first in five years), takes this spirit of sharing to some interesting lengths--to its benefit.

This is Alarie's first CD on the Québec-based Effendi label. Let's hope it's not his last: Alarie's music benefits greatly from the Effendi trademarks ...