Jan 28 2017
Recommended: Leaf – “Leaf”
There’s an appealing moodiness to this alt-contemporary jazz album from the quartet Leaf. The music’s contemplative nature provides an essential balance for those passages where the shine of the jazz-rock fusion threatens to get a bit too bright. There’s nothing fussy about the melodies; nicely crafted and rolled out simply, they’re easy to embrace even when a soloist takes it for a ride. Of this, the quartet displays a nice patience in developing them into something more, and that preference of the soloists to stay within the fold is what allows them to go wandering far and wide and never let their melodic starting point fall out of view.
There’s nothing particularly groundbreaking about this album. No new territory is struck. But it’s plenty enjoyable, and for those of you who prefer the modern contemporary jazz sound, this is a nice option. Besides, for a debut album, Leaf is a promising start.
Totally obscure reference: Anyone who is familiar with (and likes) Azure’s When She Smiles should give this one a listen. Absent the Nordic jazz influence, it falls within the same family.
Your album personnel: Eric Kappauf (piano), Olivier Grenier Bédard (guitar), Jonathan Arseneau (double bass) and Dave Croteau (drums).
This album is Self-Produced.
Listen to more of the album at the artist’s Bandcamp page.
Music from Montreal, Québec.
Available at: Bandcamp
Olivier grenier Bedard
January 29, 2017 @ 2:54 pm
Hi!
Thank you for the article!
My name is Olivier Grenier Bedard and I am the guitar player of Leaf. We really appreaciate the good words. I simply wonder where you read that the bass player is Gabriel Forget, because our new bass player is called Jonathan Arseneau. I thought I updated the information almost everywhere online, but if I forgot something, let me know! Also, is it possible to put the name of Jonathan Arseneau on the article? If not, it is not a big deal 🙂
If you would like to listen to the whole album, it would be my pleasure to send one to you if I have your adress.
Thank you so much!
Olivier
davesumner
January 29, 2017 @ 3:30 pm
Hi, Olivier.
I’ve updated the personnel with Jonathan’s name. Can’t remember where I pulled the personnel information. I typically would have grabbed it directly off the Bandcamp page, but there’s no personnel listed there. So, it could have been anywhere. But just to confirm, it was Jonathan Arseneau who performed on the recording, yes?
And are you saying that the whole album isn’t on Bandcamp? That’s where I listened to it.
And, no, I don’t require the CD, but it was nice of you to ask.
Cheers,
Dave
Olivier
February 1, 2017 @ 8:27 pm
Hi Dave!
Yes, Jonathan was performing on every track of the album!
And yes, the whole album is on Bandcamp!
Thank you!
Olivier