Sharp, aggressive and challenging, alto saxophonist François Carrier plays in-your-face music that commands an openminded listener's attention. The Quebec reedman has a deep feeling for uncompromising playing that is virtuosic, creative and rhythmic - as most jazz aspires to be - but bebopping roots. Much more a Coltrane than Parker man, Carrier always plays with great urgency. At his most intense, he practically boils over from angular, heavily chromatic melodies into chaos. All'Alba features nine originals, brought to life by Carrier's regular bandmates (drummer Michel Lambert and bassist Pierre Côté) and guest pianist Uri Caine from New York. Lambert and Côté have a fine rapport, keeping the music open even as it surges forward. Caine fits right in, as if he and the Montrealers were adventurous old friends.

Peter Hum
The Ottawa Citizen
Sathurday, June, 2002