"… but her rhythmic breaths and free-form chanting complement his vocalized glossolalia so that the two sound as if they’re performing a Middle Eastern operetta."— The WholeNote, Canada
"Un parfum de plénitude flotte dans l’air, à la fois doux et envoûtant…"— Octopus, France
If a book is not to be judged by its cover, as the saying goes, here is one recording whose title should not be mistaken as a collection of jazz standards. But all of the music contained in these eleven tracks literally comes from out of nowhere, the result of an impromptu encounter of two like-minded players. By now it may well be unnecessary to introduce Joëlle Léandre, but it’s worth noting here that “Madame Contrebasse” has always thrived in these intimate duo settings, a fact borne out in her considerable discography. Almost 25 years her junior, pianist (and fellow countryman) Quentin Sirjacq heralds from a different generation; yet, improvisation enables the keyboardist to bridge the gap with his former Mills College teacher-mentor and carve out a very personal musical space à deux. Don’t expect them to fall into any of those soloist and accompanist routines, or contests of wits and chops; instead, these collaborations are full of nuance and detail, like chiaroscuro effects floating gracefully over their soundscapes. Primarily introspective, with a couple of more jaunty escapades along the way, the music is warm and inviting, but never does it lapse into a kind of facile easy listening ambiance. Beyond all labels and descriptions, this offering will reach both heart and mind alike. - actuelledcd
Tracks
01. Opening
02. Fragment 1
03. Fragment 2
04. Presence
05. The Call
06. Ruin
07. Absence
08. Hallucinations
09. Moon Journey
10. Awakening
11. Closing
JOËLLE LÉANDRE double bass
QUENTIN SIRJACQ piano
All music composed by Joëlle Léandre and Quentin SirJacq
Recorded January 13, 2008 at Studio La Hullette, Paris
Ambiences Magnétiques - AM 184 CD (Canada)