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Kartet

Apparently, an unsignificant formula. Usual orchestration. But then, surprise, as early as the first few bars, a freshness of inspiration which one believed to be condemned. To say simply, it's been a long time since a "jazz quartet" had sounded in a such an unorthodox way. Play-along with structure, tireless exploration of all possible combinations, independence of lines, poly-speeds, mobile architecture of the compositions... A shape of music in continuous metamorphosis as it pivots around the four players, and results in many simultaneous and complementary points of view on the same reality. A music which reconciles intellect and intuition as it combines a quasi-mathematical rigour with a sensitivity, an instrumental originality, and an attention to details forged by the supreme exercise of full improvisation. » Those lines written in 1995 by Stéphane Ollivier, a french jazz-writer in Jazz Magazine, are still up to date. Ten years later, Kartet’s music remains uncommonly fresh and special.

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7
Album Review

Kartet: Grand Laps

Read "Grand Laps" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


Kartet celebrates its 25th anniversary and with the latest rendition, Belgian drummer Stephane Galland replaces Chander Sardjoe and alto saxophonist Guillaume Orti adds the C-Melody and F mezzo-soprano saxophones to his arsenal. Indeed, it's a unique entity. With the ambiance of chamber music fare and uncluttered designs, the musicians generate a rhythmic nirvana via geometrically modeled ostinatos and odd-metered time signatures, while also using space as a vantage point. From a holistic perception, the soloists engineer themes that feature reverse ...

169
Album Review

Kartet: The Bay Window

Read "The Bay Window" reviewed by Jerry D'Souza


Hubert Dupont calls Kartet a “demanding yet exhilarating collective research. The group honed these skills during a year-long residency in Marseilles just after the group was formed. The drummer at the time was Benjamin Henocq, but Chander Sardjoe, who joined them in 1996, fits in just right.

The music is composed, but the freedom with which they ring it makes the impact. The constant invention of ideas gets off right from the start as they take on Thelonious Monk's “Misterioso. ...

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2

Recording

Songlines Will Release Kartet's Grand Laps On March 11, 2014

Songlines Will Release Kartet's Grand Laps On  March 11, 2014

Source: GoMedia PR

Sixth Album from Critically Lauded Kartet Introduces New Member and Expanded Instrumentation “Kartet makes a deliberate and beautiful brand of inside-out jazz...decidedly unconventional yet not harsh or taxing on the ear...Kartet flows seamlessly in and out of improvisations, and its arranged material shows harmonic daring and imagination." —Will Layman, PopMatters It's seven years since Kartet's sixth album (The Bay Window, Songlines), but then this is a group that's been pacing itself for the long haul. Celebrating its 25th anniversary in ...

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Grand Laps

Songlines Recordings
2014

buy

The Bay Window

Songlines Recordings
2007

buy

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