Sunday, February 11, 2024

Sophie Alour - Le Temps Virtuose

Styles: Avant-garde Jazz
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:01
Size: 103,0 MB
Art: Front

(4:31) 1. Des lendemains qui chantent
(5:04) 2. Musique pour Messieurs
(5:06) 3. Sous tous les toits du monde
(3:56) 4. Musique pour Dames
(2:55) 5. Roulotte
(3:11) 6. Haunted
(4:26) 7. Tout nu
(4:05) 8. Vent debout
(3:19) 9. Ici et maintenant
(5:05) 10. Petite anatomie d'un présent qui passe
(2:17) 11. Le temps cannibale

For years, we have been trying to obtain Sophie Alour’s albums without success, due to distribution quirks. This time, however, this album was offered to us, allowing us to introduce you to this excellent saxophonist and composer. In addition to her successful solo career, she is also a part of the outstanding team of musicians surrounding the elegant Rhoda Scott and her Lady All Starr, who impress just about everyone.

“Le Temps virtuose” is a delightful and poetic blend that transports you through folk, jazz, and a rich tapestry of classical music influences. There’s an evident aesthetic pursuit here, where the beauty of art and intelligence interweave. The gentle sounds, sumptuous arrangements, and the opportunity for attentive listening make this album shine, without any artifice. It’s as if a storyteller is whispering the most beautiful adventures into your ear.

This is a delicate, sensitive, and touching musical universe that will surely appeal to our American readers. Each piece on this album is like a postcard from a city or a place, much like the way magazines depict the landscapes of France. It’s quite different from our friend, the composer and saxophonist Céline Bonacina, as it possesses a distinct culture. Here, you’ll be treated to beautiful moments with the flute, cello, guitar, and many other captivating elements, much like a museum to explore.

Yes, one can’t help but be charmed by an album like this, which carries the clear intentions of its creator. It plays with balance, offering its sensitivities, a touch of Africanness, and hints of Celtic influences that reinforce the melodic mysteries. You’ll have fun trying to decipher the origins of these images, and you’ll willingly lose yourself in them, much like exploring a city in an unknown country. If Sophie keeps winning awards, it’s no accident. She belongs to the small circle of remarkable artists in Europe, genuine and inspiring, with an impressive discography, and this album is particularly endearing.

If you’re in search of an authentic album, the editors of Bayou Blue and Paris-Move were immediately captivated by this work, bestowing upon it the “Indispensables” label. So, why not you? If your sensibilities lean toward romanticism, poetry, and travel, “Le Temps virtuose” will be your destiny…By Thierry De Clemensat https://www.paris-move.com/reviews/sophie-alour-le-temps-virtuose-eng-review/

Personnel: Sophie Alour. saxophone, Pierre Perchaud. guitar, Guillaume Latil. cello, Fabrice Moreau. drums.

Le temps virtuose

Art Themen - Hanky Panky

Styles: Jazz Contemporary
Year: 2022
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:17
Size: 120,1 MB
Art: Front

(6:20) 1. The Night Has a Thousand Eyes
(7:19) 2. Hanky Panky
(4:38) 3. Black Narcissus
(6:55) 4. Prelude to a Kiss
(6:24) 5. I Mean You
(6:26) 6. Without a Song
(8:19) 7. Invitation
(5:54) 8. Solid

Barry says a session was cancelled so instead he corralled Themen, Williams and Green, all of whom were available at short notice. And thank heaven, for this is a very classy affair indeed. ‘The Night Has A Thousand Eyes’ opens as a free-flowing tenor exposé, Themen shuffling his ideas as only he can, Barry laying down a tidal wave of drum effects. Williams, as ever, is not to be outdone, his improvisations like a cascade of unexpected twists and turns, Themen back in to finish.

Dexter Gordon's title track with its parade ground strut is immediately engaging, Green's purposeful walk allowing Williams to fly, occasional funky figures punctuating the flow, before Themen casts his spell, sinuous and mystical, with Rollins like an unseen guest, Green and Barry playing games.

‘Black Narcissus’ is a soprano feature, the tone a tad peevish, Williams thoughtful and pertinent, a mood that continues with ‘Prelude To A Kiss’, Themen back on tenor, almost reverential as he explores its time-honoured outline, Williams markedly un-Duke-like, as Green takes over. Themen's final solo is of the highest quality; Paul Gonsalves would have approved, I'm sure. Monk's ‘I Mean You’ is a stompier affair and all the more welcome for it.

‘Without A Song’ has Williams in imperious form, Themen tip-toeing around the melody, Green powerful in solo and support, Williams taking the chordal route home. Rollins’ ‘Solid’ is the toe-tapping closer to an impromptu four-star collaboration but its five-stars to label boss Andy Cleyndert for his production, design and photography. A shiny digipack to savour: good to look at and great to play. https://www.jazzwise.com/review/art-themen-dave-barry-quartet-hanky-panky

Hanky Panky

Gerry Beaudoin Trio - Minor Swing

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:14
Size: 105.9 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 1992/2013
Art: Front

[5:17] 1. Swing With Dr Jake
[5:29] 2. Annouman
[3:50] 3. Baby Boy Blues
[3:36] 4. Ain't No Sunshine
[5:54] 5. Django's Castle
[3:24] 6. Minor Swing
[4:08] 7. In A Mellow Tone
[3:54] 8. So Long Ebony
[3:46] 9. Airola
[6:51] 10. Jackie's Serenade

“… Gerry Beaudoin is a fine guitarist, composer and arranger. I am looking forward to more musical adventures with Gerry and his trio in the future.” - David Grisman

The all acoustic, no amps allowed, recordings by the Gerry Beaudoin Trio were a watershed mark in Gerry’s’ career. His special guest, mandolinist David Grisman, had a huge impact on on the way Gerry looked at music and the setting he presented it in. ” When I first heard the David Grisman Quintet I was very aware after a few songs that David was not just a jazz player but had allowed all of his experiences in music and all the genres he played or listened to to come out in his music. I also noticed, like all great jazz musicians, he used the Quintet as an instrument. One other thing that wasn’t lost on me was that instead of playing jazz standards he was presenting his original compositions and crossing genres and grooves effortlessly. This had a huge impact on me. I started writing more of my own material that wasn’t solely based on the jazz lexicon and listening to a broader spectrum of music.” One other important fact wasn’t lost on Gerry,” I learned from seeing The David Grisman Quintet that all acoustic instruments performing with out amplification is such a great, pure musical sound. Each instrument has it’s own unique voice acoustically that has to be brought out by the player. His technique and control of the instrument helps create the sound not amplification which can change the sound drastically. ” After jamming in the dressing room with David one night at Cambridge Massachusetts now defunct club, Night Stage, Gerry knew what he wanted to do for his next recording. He invited David in as his guest with his new band that included two or three acoustic guitars, Gerry, Larry Baione and Duke Robillard, his regular rhythm section of Bob Nieske on acoustic bass, Chuck Laire on drums and Matt Glaser on fiddle. The result was his fourth recording as a leader, the all acoustic Minor Swing. The rapport between David and Gerry was instant as well as the rest of the band. The ten song CD, running the gamut from Django Rheinhart, Bill Withers, Duke Ellington and five Beaudoin originals has been hailed as one of Gerry’s finest recordings. David’s appearance on seven songs is stunning in it’s virtuosity. ”Through out the session David was into it like it was his own project and his wealth of experience in the recording studio as well as in performing totally acoustic music contributed immensely to the success of the recording. ”Gerry knew when he walked out of the studio he had recorded a winner. ” It was one of the best times I ever had in the studio. Everyone contributed to make the music the best we could. Stand out memories are Bob’s solo on Jackie’s Serenade and Dukes solo break on Swing with Dr. Jake and of course playing with David. Everyone was hot and playing in the pocket.” says Gerry almost twenty years later.

Minor Swing