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"Careless Territories is the result of multiple factors. One is my recent reconnection with Belgian trombonist and phenom Phil Abraham who was invited last year as a jury member for my brass students at the Jazz Department in Luxembourg. This encounter set up the frontline and the aesthetical direction for the project - both Phil and I being huge fans of the Clark Terry and Bob Brookmeyer Quintet. Another influential element is the recent nostalgic musical reflection I had on some past travels. For example, the title track Careless Territories was written during a family trip to Apulia in the south of Italy. ‘Sunflower Eyes’ is a straightforward musical reaction to a romantic and life-changing weekend in Amsterdam. ‘Close by’ was born after a surprising rainy stop in Barcelona. Lastly and more importantly Careless Territories is the honest desire to expose a somehow multifaceted personal musical landscape; probably the result of a couple of years as an arranger for big bands. Variety is a source of vitality which I find nurturing. From swinging affairs and songwriting to more extended through-composed pieces, this album was nevertheless only made possible thanks to the strong musical appetite and curiosity of an exciting multi-generational band. The Quintet is composed of young lions and classmates from my College Years at Berklee or Manhattan School, but also experimented talents from the Belgian and French scene. Ultimately, I believe the fire and excitement of youth meets the balance and wisdom of experience in this one, and I like to think it interestingly benefits the musical outcome. Overall, I hope it will create as much joy listening to it as we had putting it together." - Rémy Labbé