Album Review: To My Loved Ones from Alain Bradette

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Album:  To My Loved Ones
Artist:  Alain Bradette
Label:  Quantum Gravity Records
Release Date:  June 16, 2026
Website: www.alainbradettemusic.com

Alain Bradette is a Montreal-born saxophonist, composer, and Electronic Wind Instrument (EWI) performer whose work gravitates towards improvisation, harmonizing bold voices and wielding contemporary jazz language.  His latest recording To My Loved Ones presents eight compositions with distinct characteristics, exercising his penchant for improvised conversations among his band.   Seven of the tracks are composed by Bradette, while his longtime friend Fady Karam contributes “Lunatic" to the program, pervading an exotic lilt in Bradette's arching notes.

Sometimes turning reflective like in the blissful musings of "Butterfly Angel" and other times the music is bustling with intense activity like in "Pandemic."  Supporting Bradette on saxophone is Zach Muth on guitar, Tal Cohen on acoustic and electric piano, Thomas Milovac on acoustic and electric bass, and Caleb Montague on drums.   The waltzing gait of "Song for Katya" projects tenderness and sensitivity, leading into the wispy swells of the title track, as though communicating personal feelings to the listener.  "Apart" is a somber tune, as Bradette's saxophone corresponds mollifying impressions, followed by the glittery trimmings of "Beautiful Brown Eyes," as Bradette's saxophone scrolls bold strokes.

Bradette's saxophone soars, tingles, swirls, and mutters softy in the listerners' ears.  His strokes have a spontaneous penmanship that expresses a multitude of emotions from anxiety to tranquility.   Sometimes leaving the impression of being consolatory and other times communicating a sense of adventure.  Wherever Bradette takes his audience, there is a familiarity as though listeners can recognize the correspondence by sound.

Musicians:
Alain Bradette - saxophones, EWI
Zach Muth - guitar
Tal Cohen - acoustic and electric piano
Thomas Milovac - acoustic and electric bass
Caleb Montague - drums

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