Alto saxophonist François Carrier has put together a compelling group of original compositions for this studio meeting with pianist Uri Caine, bassist Pierre Côté, and drummer Michel Lambert. The intriguing opener, "Karuna," never follows a predictable path, always conveying an air of mystery in a blend of post-bop and avant-garde. Lambert introduces "Entrance 3" with a furious solo, with a delayed entrance by Carrier and Caine playing in unison in a insistent military cadence before the piece takes flight into pure improvisation. Both "Enfants de Ciel" (with Carrier strongly suggesting the influence of John Coltrane) and "Jeu" (built upon a series of strident exchanges between the musicians) were improvised on the spot. The title of the tense "As Crazy As" may suggests schizophrenia, but the quartet's seeming chaos has a method to its madness. This is superb music by advanced musicians who refuse to settle for the status quo.

-Ken Dryden