Any Answers isn't just the 2003 debut recording by Vancouver's Elaschuk-Ryga Quartet, it's also a wonderful artifact from the group's first public performances together recorded at the Cellar Restaurant & Jazz club on May 24 & 25, 2002.

Here, freedom and form coexist in a way that speaks to the very highest levels of the improviser's art. Everything's terrifically loose, carefully maintained and often swings with perfect ease. You'll be reminded of Ornette Coleman's early quartets. But you'll also hear traces of hard bop or even one of Johnny Hodges small groups.

These aren't frivolous suggestions. Especially if you've know trumpeter Kevin Elaschuk's workover the years. The man's a throwback in so many ways: the impeccable manners, the commitment to precision he deep knowledge of musical lore. He descends from a rare and elusive branch of the trumpet pantheon; Booker Little, Kenny Dorhna, Johnny Coles. His is a finely tempered, elliptical art.

His four pieces on Any Asners are actually the only example of his writing on disc. With the new line up he's finally created the kind of sound he's envisioned for years; without piano with a trumpet-saxophone front line.

Campbell Ryga might of course be best known as one of Canada's leading hard bop saxophonists, combining as he does a prodigious gift for melodic improvisation and rhythmic snap. He's assimilated a great deal from Charlie Parker and Cannonball Adderley.

On Any Answers, however, Ryga;'s edgy and expansive and gives, possibly his most complex recorded performance. On the title piece, a dirge reminiscent of Ornette Coleman's "Lorraine" he's nearly unrecognizable: keening, enigmatic , harmonically free.

Together Ryga and Elaschuk skip about buoyantly, in light counterpoint or hazy unison. Elashcuk can be laconic and grey; Ryga can be loquacious and bright. They are a marvelous team. Still much of the quartet's energy hinges on bassist Chris Nelson and drummer Brad Turner.

Nelson and Elaschuk met in mid-80s Edmonton and the trumpeter-pianist, turns in another excellent performance on drums. Elaschuk couldn't stop talking about Turner's magnificent feel. Just listen to how he plays the ride cymbal throughout. But Turner also knows a lot about momentum and drama and color too.

Certainly everyone here demonstrates a mastery over musical decision making. In the Elaschuk-Ryag Quartet however you'd have to; things are constantly shifting, you've got to listen before you speak. Indeed, this is serious, sophisticated music and its one reason why Any Answers will bring you enormous please for a log time.

-Greg Buium