Eric Watson/Christof Lauer Quartet

The symbiosis of older stylistic elements with new ones is one of the characteristics of contemporary jazz. The Eric Watson/Christof Lauer Quartet occupies a special place in this respect, mainly on account of their distinctive style, in which contrasting elements are not toned down, but sound as fresh as ever. At their most sublime moments, this quartet sounds like an enormous harmonium. The proof is their recent CD, 'Road Movies', with lots of clever stacking in the arrangements and ingenuity and precision in the rhythmic interplay between the four protagonists. This quartet brings powerful blues with a classic feel. The musicians 'supremely' take their time: the rhythm section ambles for a while before it starts to slowly develop towards a crescendo, building suspense, gradually, flawlessly, working towards the one and indivisible moment when a …* is let out. It is a complicated feast for the discriminating ear. The orchestral build-up is phenomenal. The taut rhythm, the furious crescendos and the pandemoniacal climaxes are brilliant. No wonder this CD was awarded the 'Prix Choc 2004' by the French trade magazine Jazzman. (*) fill in the word of your choice