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François Houle 5, In the Vernacular: The Music of John Carter (SGL 1522-2) Clarinettist/composer John Carter created a profound body of contemporary music expressing the African-American experience through its folk idioms. Long inspired by Carter's vision, clarinettist Houle has assembled a superb group of Vancouver and New York players to, in critic Art Lange's words, “resurrect the spirit of the original, freeing his own ensemble's unique capabilities... In improvisational music, form is feeling... ” And the feelings here are tender, buoyant, and generous. First recording of Carter's “Three Dances in the Vernacular”. Featuring Dave Douglas (trumpet), Peggy Lee (cello), Mark Dresser (bass), and Dylan van der Schyff (drums). “One of the finest albums ever to come out of the Vancouver jazz scene...and a shoo-in for my 1998 top 10 list... Luminous contributions from Douglas, Lee, van der Schyff, and Dresser.” —Alexander Varty, Georgia Straight “The five musicians work magically well together... This CD has all the elements one wants in contemporary improvised music. The quality of musicianship is extraordinarily high, and the musical content ranges from swinging and burning to slow and tristful. The harmonization of instruments and melodic statements tell emotional stories that leave the listener's imagination free to roam... Houle has once again turned out a masterwork, one that needs to be called an essential release of the year.” —;Laurence Svirchev, 5/4 Magazine

Morning Bell Old Blues A Free Step Night Dance Seventy Three