Every note counts in a duo. Each note emerges in plain sight and the recording machine captures it, good, bad or ugly. It is hardly surprising few musicians put themselves forward for such exacting scrutiny, but Sclavis and Moussay are both old enough to know better, and willingly submit to the discipline, and the scrutiny that inevitably follows. In such exacting circumstances it seems strange to talk of the warmth and empathy of this collaboration, the term ‘chamber jazz’ somehow inadequate as its classical corollary inevitably interpreted with the composer’s, rather than the performer’s intent foremost.

As often happens with the sequencing of an ECM album by producer Manfred Either, the music is presented with the intention of drawing the listener in to the album experience. This is the beguiling bit of musical prestidigitation that makes Unfolding compelling, and does what it says on the record, its narrative arc compelling. Incidentally, there are a couple of videos on YouTube recorded at these sessions watch, and you’ll see what I mean.