Fall & Rise

Mixing contemporary post-bop with elements of soul-jazz (and a totally unexpected cover of a Bruce Springsteen tune), Maxime Bender’s Universal Sky make unashamedly contemporary music that majors on melody and flow. Individual, but recalling Wayne Shorter, the leader’s tenor and soprano saxophone works over beds of guitar, organ and drums that stay harmonically open, mobile and always graceful. In a period where self-written music is the norm rather than an exception, these tracks stand out in not drawing overdue attention to the writing process, preferring to deliver a strong, accessible musical message. Once the opening “Gravity” pulls you in, you’ll find yourself hypnotised by fine writing and subtle group arrangements that make this one of the most excitingly creative European recordings of recent years.  (Brian Morton)  

Recorded in Tuntange, Luxembourg in September 2021 at Holtz Sound Studio by Charles Stoltz

Photos by Martine Pinnel

Cover Art by Henri Schoetter

Liner notes by Brian Morton