Motocross - L'amour Est Un Sentiment
(Megawatt)
Québec quartet Motocross, if I am to assume that I gleaned accurate information from their almost entirely French language press packet, has garnered a fair amount of attention in their native land, but has only made seldom trips across the border. Funded, at least in part by the Société de developpement des enterprises culturelles Québec, L'amour est un sentiment finds Motocross to be a group fairly accepting of rock and other musical forms, unafraid to shift between jazz idioms at a rapid pace. Much of the disc is made up of either more rock-based tunes, ripe with multi-horn riffs with a sound reminiscent of Hal Russell's fiery NRG Ensemble, or mixtures of more traditional forms of jazz and minor sound manipulation techniques. The group prove themselves to be adequate, at least, in everything they dabble in, from the cool, relaxed swing of "Sauce Blanche" to the rollicking "Légoland" and funky, romp that is "Duo Tex-Mex." Bassist and guitarist Samuel Roy-Bois proves to often be the group's backbone, and most interesting cog, as well as the composer of some of the album's best tracks. Gilles Sirois (alto, soprano sax) and Guy Girouard (tenor sax, flute) are both well-versed in their crafts, and though neither are masters of tone or extremely individual improvisers, they have their moments, such as the extended periods in which their playing mirrors each other through staccato attacks or fluid, extended tones. Percussionist Mathieu Doyon does little to make himself stand out, but his playing can't realistically be called a weakness, either.
L'amour est un sentiment is full of stylistic twists and turns, perhaps too many. Motocross, as they prove themselves capable of adapting themselves to multiple sounds, fail to solidify anything as their very own, though their more fast-paced pieces come closest. But, though this album may never be mentioned in the pantheon of great jazz releases, and though it may not inspire awe in listeners, L'amour est un sentiment remains, on the whole, rather enjoyable listening.
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