Play

Album Review

Critics of funky, R&B-flavored jazz and fusion argue that electric jazz cannot swing, but in fact, electric bassist Alain Caron swings hard on the electric Play. Backed by his Montreal-based outfit Le Band, the French-Canadian improviser brings a lot of passion to this CD. A diverse effort that emphasizes Caron's own compositions, Play ranges from groove-oriented soul-jazz ("P.A.C. Man," "D-CODE") to fusion pieces that can be abstract ("In & Out," "B 12") or sentimental ("Apres la pluie," "Ton Jardin"). The only songs on the album that Caron didn't write himself are Leni Stern's cerebral "Trouble" and John Coltrane's often-recorded "Impressions," which gets an unusual funk-jazz treatment. Not outstanding but likable and broad-minded, this Canadian release made one hope that Caron would enjoy more exposure outside of Canadian jazz circles.