There are quite a few layers of surprise surrounding this album recorded in Mexico by a quintet and local symphony orchestra. Sea-like in the Debussy sense for a bit (although Guy Barker's fine arrangements conjure up Satie near the beginning), it's clearly not ‘sea’ in the ECM/Scandinavian sense, and the artwork is a little deceptive. In other words, it's not gloomy at all. An eight-track suite based around a voyage, storm and eventual safe passage, by the half way point the album becomes more and more hard bop and the orchestra recedes leaving more room for the horn players. Laurent de Wilde plays his part well and does wondrous work with little touches and clean breaks, as does Sylvain Beuf, but this is worth listening to and buying for the Barker arrangements and the quality of Tassel's compositions as much as for the virtuosic playing. With some great writing for woodwind, a Gil Evans-ian sweep at times and the hint of a big movie ballad – it's a winner.