While I am fully aware of Canadian outfit Spaced Out, I believe this is the first time I have reviewed an album by bassist Antoine Fafard, who has had a long-established solo career. The idea for this album stemmed all the way back to 2016 as after the release of ‘Sphère’, Antoine knew he wanted to collaborate with Gary Husband (drums) again in the future. In the intervening period he also worked with tenor saxophonist Jean-Pierre Zanella so the idea came about of recording with both of them together, and this is the result. What we have is an extremely melodic jazz rock outing, with Antoine providing both bass and guitar, which sounds as if it could be coming at us straight from the Seventies.
One of the interesting elements about this is although it is Antoine’s album, he often sits back and lets the others drive the musical conversation. Yes, we do of course get some great solos from him, but the main driver of melody and deliverer of solos is Jean-Pierre, while Gary is his normal effective self, moving all around the kit – I am sure it is his experience also as a keyboard player which means he tends to play drums with a more melodic persuasion than many. Antoine is the glue which holds it all together, and one can imagine him sat deep in the pocket with a bit smile on his face. It certainly does not sound as if it was recorded separately, but while it is not mentioned where Antoine recorded, Jean-Pierre recorded in Montréal, and Gary in London, so it seems that they were never in the same room together and given the complexity and tightness of the group that is a considerable achievement. We get melodic duets between Antoine and Jean-Pierre which are a delight, sublime bass runs and melodies, stunning sax solos, then of course there is Gary at the back. The result is a thoroughly enjoyable jazz-rock album which will delight any lover of the genre.
Rating: 8/10