snobb Modern French jazz rarely associates with the nu jazz genre, and possibly the first name that comes to mind as an exception is Erik Truffaz, but besides Truffaz (who is more an acid jazz musician sometimes flirting with nu jazz) there is also a musician playing excellent original nu jazz by the name of Michel Benita.

Algeria-born bassist Michel moved to Paris in 1981 and for two decades collaborated with many European and American jazz musicians. He was a member of Erik Trufaz's band for a few years as well. In the new millenium he realized his interest in modern jazz and electronics and recorded some solo albums (and played as trio member with Nguyen Le and Erskine as well).

'Ethics' is his latest album and it is a great example of French nu jazz. Besides Michel, other participants on this album include such different musicians as Norwegian guitarist Eivind Aarset (responsible for aerial ambient liquid guitar sound on Molvaer's early albums)and Japanese koto player Mieko Miyazaki, plus Swiss trumpeter Matthieu Michel and drummer Philippe Garcia.

Musically this album contains a mix of North African tunes and rhythms, Japanese acoustic string-based folk and cool Nordic guitar nu jazz almost in equal proportions! The compositions sound relaxed with some electronic rhythms, lots of world music flavor and very tasteful arrangements. Three different musical cultural traditions are melted and presented as one modern musical cocktail.

Less dance-able and pop-oriented than many Truffaz works, and different from quite predictable Nordic nu jazz sounds and really not so boring as many modern ECM world fusion releases, this album could attract fans of all the above mentioned genres. Recommended!