Benjamin Deschamps: Augmented Reality
MCM
Saxophonist Benjamin Deschamps established himself in Canadian jazz circles with his first three albums, What De We Know (2014), Demi-Nuit (2017), and No Codes (2018). With electric guitarist Nicolas Ferron added to the quintet, Augmented Reality presents a more muscular sound that's still jazz-rooted yet rock-edged. It's not fusion or jazz-rock in the style of Headhunters, Return to Forever, or one of Miles's incendiary ‘70s outfits; Deschamps' new direction takes its cue from figures like Donny McCaslin and Ben Wendel, the result a fresh, dynamic, and contemporary sound. Yet while the recording is powerful, Deschamps also finds room for his introspective side.
Animated by an aggressive alto sax ostinato, “Unfinished Business” inaugurates the album on a hard-grooving tip, the playing tight and the ensemble inspired. Pianist Charles Trudel adds a tasty electric piano solo before the leader weighs in with his own virtuosic contribution. Mention must be made of drummer Al Bourgeois, who drives the performance (others too) with imagination and precision, something even more impressive when the tune involves so many twists and turns. “Healing Chant: The Incantation” dramatically shifts the focus away from the opener's jazz-funk style to a rubato meditation awash in cymbal textures and dreamy unison statements from Deschamps on bass clarinet and trombonist Jean-Nicolas Trottier; a seamless segue from the first part to “Healing Chant: The Resurrection” brings with it another pivot, this time to a soulful band expression bolstered by lyrical solos from Ferron and the leader on alto. The band textures throughout the two-part affair are so deliciously handled, one imagines how well the piece would sound in a jazz orchestra arrangement.
“Parallel Universe” initially flirts with fusion before taking flight with a high-velocity jazz pulse and Deschamps soaring over the charging base. Ferron's jazz chops get a strong workout, and he and the leader deserve credit for staying the course when the performance unfolds at such a breakneck pace. Though “Opinions” ventures into shuffle mode whilst also pulling bebop and swing into its orbit, the musicians execute it with such authority the performance testifies to the high calibre of musicianship they bring to Deschamps' material. The title track sees the band operating in a dark jazz-funk zone not a whole lot unlike the one Jack DeJohnette explored in his Special Edition outfit with Mick Goodrick, Greg Osby, and Gary Thomas. Starkly contrasting with it is “Amitiés oubliées” (Forgotten Friendships), a lovely ballad-styled excursion elevated by entrancing wordless vocalizing by guest Valérie Saulnier and emotionally expressive statements by Trottier and Deschamps.
The title of the closing track, “Fearless,” might be applied to Deschamps' approach to the recording in general when it explores so many stylistic directions. To his and his partners' collective credit, however, they never falter, with every one of its performances registering as assured. Augmented Reality is the work of a seasoned pro, and he smartly surrounded himself with colleagues capable of playing at a similarly high level for the project. While it's issued under his name and the compositions are his, it's really the ensemble playing that makes the release the standout it is.December 2021