"My music is the spiritual expression of what I am - my faith, my knowledge, my being... When you begin to see the possibilities of music, you desire to do something really good for people... I want to speak to their souls."
There's a vast amount of inspired John Coltrane quotes available ["You can play a shoestring if you're sincere" is another wonderful one!] but our opening example are words that have resonated for a particularly long time and that seem notably apt when regarding the latest release from the Thierry Lemaitre Quartet.
Finding its home through the delectable hub of contemporary jazz offerings that is Most Least Records, the latest project from French saxophonist Lemaitre proves a sublime inclusion for the label's catalogue. Already boasting an extensive catalogue of music collaborations which include Jalapeno Records' Ephemerals, Jimi Needles and Marvellous, Lemaitre's first foray with Most Least came through his fantastic Biomania project in 2025. An excellent and diverse project that wore its wide-ranging influences on its sleeve - their album 'System D' masterfully featured mini-homages to the likes of Jay Dee all the way through to Thundercat making for a compelling listen.
Lemaitre's latest project - while retaining the well of influences that made 'System D' such a gem - looks to regard their overall aesthetic through a decidedly more traditional perspective. Through elegant compositions and an earnest approach to their music, Lemaitre and company present a fairly sensational record that speaks to the works and intentions of jazz's architects as well as contemporary luminaries. The album's 'Less is More' title even speaks to the artists' intention to convey more through minimal means - no guests or overly polished post-production techniques are called upon, opting for one-take recordings that accentuate the quartet's chemistry and commitment to a more raw and sincere product.
With Lemaitre tackling duties on saxophone, the quartet is rounded out by Gregor Forbes on keyboards, bassist Diego Alejandro and Heinrich Eiszmann on drums - a brilliantly compiled collection of artists that have found a genuinely winning formula as an in-sync unit. A small selection of videos housed on Lemaitre's YouTube channel offer some riveting insight into the four musicians and their work together through studio sessions and a performance recorded at Leipzig's Hitness Club.
'Less is More' presents nine compositions that give credence to the album's title. An album that finds its strength in its nuanced subtleties and an album that ultimately - as Coltrane once envisioned for his own music - speaks to their souls.
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