New releases today: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: The Swiss saxophonist delivers a mesmerising journey through modal jazz on his latest album. Drawing deep inspiration from John Coltrane, Torrent blends intricate harmonies with raw, unfiltered improvisation, crafting a collection that is both a tribute and an exploration of new sonic terrain. The album opens with 'Danse Tropical, a reflective and richly textured piece where Torrent's saxophone weaves through intricate scales, searching yet controlled. The steady rhythm section acts as an anchor, allowing the melodies to expand and evolve organically. In contrast, 'Quannassa' injects a restless intensity, shifting through complex harmonic movements while the quartet navigates its dynamic ebb and flow with effortless cohesion. The title track, 'Buleria', is perhaps the album's centerpieceian eight-minute odyssey that fuses modal jazz with flamenco's hypnotic rhythms. Torrent's improvisation feels deeply intuitive, soaring over a meditative backdrop that evokes the vast, open landscapes of Iberia. The interplay between the quartetipiano, bass and drumsiis both fluid and instinctive, fostering an environment where the saxophone can push beyond conventional boundaries. While deeply rooted in Coltrane's legacy, Buleria is far from a mere homage. Torrent and his ensemble use the foundations of modal jazz as a springboard for personal expression, creating a sound that is both reverent and adventurous. Each track unfolds like a conversationisometimes gentle, sometimes incendiary, but always searching for something beyond the ordinary.