Élan Parlé seems to Keep on Moving and assured us of this last weekend at their live performance Jazz Central . While, however, Candice Alcantara, a guest on the show, used the words “keep on moving” to end a relationship.

In typical fashion élan parle has twisted the phrase on us yet again. After the heart warming performance of band-members and the production of yet another album perhaps the band is moving on - back into the spotlight.

Since the death of guitarist and founding member Wayne Cottoy the band has not been as prominent a feature on the live performance circuit as it used to be.

Jazz Central was the first solo appearance of the band since Wayne's death, but his presence on stage was felt by all those who have followed the band since the launch of their first album Tribal Voices, during their round of performances at Bois Cano's Bistro & Bar at the Kapok Hotel, their performance at the We Beat 2003 Festival in St James and Jazz on the Greens 2003 as well as the Grenada andSt Kitts Jazz festivals of the same year.

The new album is entitled “ 5–The Ming Toy Project ”. The name acknowledges the fifth album and the close collaboration between Ming and Cottoy over the years.

Saturday's performance at the Central Bank Auditorium was laid back and reassuring. Raymond Edwards a familiar presence on Radio WMJX 100.5 and Trinity Television served as emcee, introduced band members and they started to perform their repertoire: Sambo, Jacket and Me'Shelle - selections from their first album Tribal Voices.

I found myself entranced in the extended versions of these selections like I was on first hearing them some four years ago.

With no spoken word between the selections, I mused on the idea that the band was about to go through all their music of choice without words, living up to their name as Ming says -“a fiery, energetic spirited conversation”, between listeners and the musicians – Loris Adams on electric bass, Davis Bertrand on flute, alto flute wind controller and percussion, David Richards on drum and congas and Ming on piano, keyboards, congas and some vocals.

When Ming addressed the audience to introduce the other selections from his other albums he brought me out my musings all be it temporarily until the music resumed.

He describes his new album as “different from the others in that the compositions are very straightforward and expressive, no hidden meaning or agendas being presented here, just good ole instrumentals, some may even say jazz music.” They treated us to some selections of this jazz music among them Groover's Groove, Epic Fantasy and Rotation .

Professionalism has been a core value of élan parle and this was evident in its punctual start, the respect of band members for the audience in their dress, command of their instruments, their geniality in communicating with each other and with the audience as well as the sound engineering expertly handled by Neil Bernard, one of the group's founding members and first drummer.

Cover of new album 5- The Ming Toy Project showing the late Wayne Cottoy (left) and Ming.

Every nuance and timbre was heard and as a result appreciated. It is not often that the audience at a performance is able to hear all instruments at appropriate sound levels. Thanks need to be given to Mr Bernard. The professionalism extends to élan parlé's frequently updated web site which offered home delivery of tickets bought for this performance.

One aspect of their performance I appreciated the most was that they seemed so confident of their abilities that there was no need to exaggerate their skills to the audience to win applause. I also appreciated some unison lines played by Ming on his synthesiser with David Bertrand on flute.

I also appreciated the difference in texture between the flute and alto flute and the idea of the flute serving as a lead instrument in a local band. There were light-hearted moments among members with Ming and David Bertrand playing congas, the latter playing them with pan sticks.

David Richards seemed well in control of his drums not allowing himself to “drum-out” every one else. Throughout the evening his playing was both dynamic and tasteful. The microphones around him captured the nuances of his playing perfectly and created a frame around him on stage.

Loris Adams ' gentle touch on his electric bass was always conversing with the other instruments. Never an obtrusive presence, his supportive playing was full of finesse and in his solo spots his love for the music was evident.

Élan Parlé hosted three guest performers in Candice Alcantara, Theron Shaw and Tony Voisin artistes who have worked with the band over the years and have recorded with them on the Kindred Spirits and Caribbean Renaissance albums.

Candice performed two compositions of well-known artistes – Nappy Mayers Old Time Days , and David Rudder's composition Spirit of the Music which has also been sung by Ella Andall. She was also launching her first album Candice and performed original lyrics including a fast paced, poetry-styled Keep on Moving.

Theron Shaw played acoustic guitars and won applause as soon as Sparrow's No money no love was recognised. Tony Voisin played one of my favourites, Blanchisseuse Bounce and selections from the new album.

Congratulations to show producers Ming and his wife Michelle Low Chew Tung for Jazz Central. Coming as it did in the midst of storm watch, explosion in town, political blunders and an on-going spate of crime, this production reminded us that there are people engaged in positive work that we can be proud of.

It was well worth leaving home and venturing out into the evening. We look forward to more live performances as the band continues to fulfill the mission outlined on the jacket of its first album to be “rest for a weary heart, food for a hungry soul…it soothes and calms…yet it excites and invites…it takes you...it takes me...and makes we.”