Garage A Trois - Outre Mer (2005)

Artist: Garage A Trois
Album: Outre Mer
Label: Telarc Distribution
Release date: 26 Jul 2005
Genre: Contemporary Jazz
Style: Jazz / Fusion / Jazz-Funk
Format: mp3 224kbit / ape(image+cue+scans)
Tracks: 11
Total Time: 45:51
Total Size: 73.4 Mb / 252 Mb
www.myspace.com

Track list:
1. Outre mer (4:44)
2. Bear No Hair (4:25)
3. The Machine (4:56)
4. Etienne (5:19)
5. Merpati (5:53)
6. The Dream (2:54)
7. Antoine (4:10)
8. Circus (2:07)
9. Needles (3:51)
10. The Dwarf (4:13)
11. Amanjiwo (3:17)

Conceived as the soundtrack to a French film that may or may not exist, OUTRE MER is the product of a live, in-studio acoustic session by the New Orleans-based jazz/funk ensemble Garage a Trois. Led by the virtuoso eight-string guitarist Charlie Hunter (who fronts numerous other projects, including Groundtruther), GAT creates a chilled-out lounge vibe here, as Hunter's nuanced playing blends seamlessly with saxophonist Skerik's bold horn lines and the intricate rhythms of vibraphonist/percussionist Mike Dillon and drummer Stanton Moore.

Throughout the album, Caribbean and Latin beats bounce off of Wes Montgomery-like fretwork and boisterous horn melodies. Although the music here can occasionally lean towards the experimental, everything is ultimately channeled into an entrancing groove, be it the dreamy title track, the shuffling "Antoine," or the moody closer "Amanjiwo." With its loose, freewheeling vibe, OUTRE MER is for those like their jazz playful, funky, and fearless.

Personnel:
Charlie Hunter (guitar)
Skerik (saxophone)
Mike Dillon (vibraphone, percussion)
Stanton Moore (drums)