The album is punctuated by three duo improvisations between Lehman and Taborn, who manage to interact in a way that feels authentic and heartfelt while staying utterly contemporary. And here again, Lehman makes a statement; demonstrating intimate familiarity with 60 years of experimental saxophone vocabulary – from Eric Dolphy and Anthony Braxton to Arthur Blythe and Evan Parker – and making a compelling case for its integration into a modern-day concept of the classic alto saxophone quartet album.

The People I Love is a record that bears witness to a new openness in Lehman’s music. Unedited rehearsal tapes (“A Shifting Design”) and joyous laughter at the end of a take are all left on the track — inviting the listener to take a look behind the curtain at where the music comes from. The result may be his most mature artistic statement to date.

• 1. Prelude (01:41)
• 2. Ih Calam & Ynnus (05:55)
• 3. Curse Fraction (05:14)
• 4. Qplay (04:25)
• 5. Interlude (01:05)
• 6. A Shifting Design (03:58)
• 7. Beyond All Limits (07:53)
• 8. Echoes / the Impaler (05:12)
• 9. Chance (05:31)
• 10. Postlude (00:54)