Statement of Intent Edition****

Saxophonist/composer Adam Waldmann's leader debut last year with Kairos Moment saw the emergence of a precocious talent and a fine quartet. Influenced in part by Wayne Shorter, Waldmann's soprano and tenor are distinct facets of a gifted musical personality and, with pianist Ivo Neame joining the formidable Jasper Høiby (bass) and Jon Scott (drums), he has a superb group whose increased solo strength continues to be reinforced by intensely focused interplay. The music, with its clever use of counterpoint and unison lines (including, again, the voice of Emilia Mårtensson), remains fresh and, for all its contemporary feel, accessible. A series of often gripping performances cover an emotional spectrum from the driven dialogues of the title track, Hicksand Me and You, 100, to the reflective, lyrical nostalgia of Simpler Timesand the wary optimism of Maybe Next Year. See editionrecords.com