![(Parenthèses) - Untitled 428 [OH!]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/461004_8b311fe466b341a6a73ba4407caeeadf~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_147,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_avif,quality_auto/461004_8b311fe466b341a6a73ba4407caeeadf~mv2.jpg)
The nicely named (Parenthèses), hail from Strasbourg and are Michael Alizon on sax and Jean-René Mourot on Rhodes, although don't imagine for a minute their compositions are wispy and lacking substance. They've been playing together since 2015, but have just decided to release their debut album. It's a good one too.
The album is quite a ride, as the duo take familiar twentieth century forms and twist them to suite their personal vision. There is plenty for the traditionalists to grab hold of throughout the LP, but be prepared for them to drift off into all sorts of directions from cinematic jazz noir, dance floor swingers, searching fire music and all the way back down to more sombre ambient jazz. They manage to cover a lot of bases, but it's a cohesive, cultivated ride which highlights their widescreen vision and gets you looking online for live dates in your area.
The star of the show for me though is the title track, "Untitled 428" - it's a vibe. A spiritual sax intro plumped on an organ cushion prises open your doors of perception, before the electric piano starts to twinkle its light. They then look to the East across African plains, triggering a mid-track dream state where they contemplate the meeting of East and West, before deciding to return to that sweet spot where cultures and form collide. It really is a spiritual, mystical marvel and worth the price of entry alone.
Playlist Companion
Find (Parenthèses) in good company over at the Slow Jazz Playlist.