Playing standard tunes is one thing, free improvisation is another, and only fools or masters of the art even consider combining the two. Veteran French pianist Martial Solal and US saxophonist Dave Liebman are true masters. Take away the rigid structure of a song and there’s nothing to keep it all together, except – to paraphrase Solal’s note – ear, reflexes, technique and generosity of mind. Just following the twin trains of thought as they invent whole new patterns from fragments of Night and Day or On Green Dolphin Street is quite mesmerising. And there was no cheating. All six pieces were recorded live, in one go.
