CODE Quartet is a group based in Montreal, made up of Adrian Vedady on bass, Christine Jensen on saxophone, Lex French on trumpet, and Jim Doxas on drums. They formed in 2017, and in the years since have been creating and crafting original material. Now they’ve released their debut album, Genealogy, which contains mostly original material, with three of the four musicians contributing compositions. The fourth, Jim Doxas, mixed the album. The group is clearly influenced by Ornette Coleman, particularly his early work, even in the very makeup of the band, but they’re not imitating him or his quartet. These guys have their own thing happening.
When a track begins on bass, it’s a safe bet that it’s going to be a cool tune, and such is the case with the album’s lead track, “Tipsy,” which was composed by Lex French. And indeed, that is a fitting title, for this tune has a late-night sense about it, and prowls about as if it’s had at least a few drinks. Both the trumpet and saxophone seem to be out on the streets, strutting and feeling good, like they have intentions and desires but not cares or concerns. Both French and Jensen deliver some excellent work here, creating a rather vivid atmosphere and picture, and I want to just immerse myself in this world, particularly when Christine Jensen is leading. And, yes, this is a seriously cool tune. That’s followed by “Watching It All Slip Away,” which was written by Adrian Vedady. What a wonderfully depressing song title, right? And as you might guess, this one is a slower, more introspective number, the horns having a lonesome and pensive vibe at times. But there is a freedom here, and things do get a bit wild at moments too. I especially love French’s work on trumpet.
Genealogy is a fascinating subject, and, like many people, I am curious about my ancestors, though not foolish enough to send a company a sample of my DNA in order to get that information. Anyway, the album’s title track, “Genealogy,” is a lively number that includes a short drum solo within its first several seconds, and only gets more exciting from there, swinging and moving and breathing and popping. I am especially crazy about the work by Jim Doxas on drums. Lex French composed this one. That’s followed by “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded,” the one track that was not written by any of the group’s members. It is an old hymn, and something of an odd choice. As it begins, an interesting atmosphere is created on bass and drums. Something mysterious. And when the horns enter, there is a funereal quality, at least at first, like a slow, sad march through New Orleans. Then it becomes a bit lighter, more fanciful in some of the work on saxophone. Things then pick up with “Wind Up,” a piece written by Christine Jensen. This one has a strong, forceful rhythm. Yes, it features more great stuff on drums. And then the saxophone and trumpet soar at moments over that delicious and robust rhythm. You just want to sink your teeth into this one, and become part of its movement. It is a spirited track, with some excellent playing.
The quartet slows things down again then with “Requiem,” which has a more somber, contemplative mood, though keeps from becoming too dark. It was composed by Adrian Vedady, and that lead on bass is what gets me interested. Then the trumpet is particularly expressive. There are some really gentle moments too. That’s followed by “Day Moon,” which comes on strong, the horns working together almost like an alarm, an announcement of sorts. Then interestingly, the track pulls back a bit and starts to build, and the next time the horns play that part from the beginning, the bass and drums work with them, giving it a different feel, a more grounded sense. The work on drums here is what makes this track something special. There is even a drum solo toward the end. Then Jim Doxas begins “Beach Community” on drums, establishing a catchy island rhythm, one that might get you on your feet. The trumpet and saxophone have a cheerful, friendly feel. This is a track that seems to tell us that life is good, and we can certainly use as many of those as we can get our hands on.
CD Track List
- Tipsy
- Watching It All Slip Away
- Genealogy
- O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
- Wind Up
- Requiem
- Day Moon
- Beach Community
Genealogy was released on April 23, 2021.
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