This is saxophonist-composer Patrick Zimmerli's most recent release with Songlines, this adventurous Vancouver label. His last one, The Book of Hours, featured Octurn in an hour long series of compositions respectfully rendered, but lacking the spark of inspired perfomance. Competent composer he is, but this is not adventurous music; rather, its sonorities will appeal to those who like sophisticated but tried and true sound conceptions.

With Phoenix, Zimmerli has assembled seven other players who are committed to the composer's vision and here render the music a little more convincingly than in The Book of Hours. The composer is at home in the classical world as in the jazz world, and here the two meet, but not without a clash. This is safe music that presents improvisation delivered by instruments usually identified with traditions of written music (violin, viola, cello, piano) but augmented by electric bass, percussion and electronics. The result is a program of jazz-hued, classical-referenced tunes that are pleasant and comforting to the ears. It is nice to hear string players improvise, although the fire and inventiveness that are expected by jazz audiences are missing, since this is music rendered by competent legit players who are obviously crossing over.

Why this album of original pieces includes a rendition of Antonio Carlos Jobim's "How Insensitive," plainly presented, I can't figure out. The rest of the pieces are crafted vehicles that show off the composer's talent, while not really grabbing this listener. But listen for yourself. If you like strong string playing with forays into improvisation, pick this up.