Naïssam Jalal, Healing Rituals, Les Couleurs du Son***

Floaty flute and a cool Levantine swagger here from a small group of French based musicians led by flautist composer Naïssam Jalal. The double bassist Claude Tchamitchian here is familiar from fine Andy Emler album The Useful Report we reviewed …

Published: 14 Apr 2023. Updated: 13 months.

Floaty flute and a cool Levantine swagger here from a small group of French based musicians led by flautist composer Naïssam Jalal. The double bassist Claude Tchamitchian here is familiar from fine Andy Emler album The Useful Report we reviewed last year makes a strong contribution as does cellist Clément Petit while drummer Zaza Desiderio delivers enough heat for a swirling sense to add drama. This couldn't be more different to the Emler album, hymns to natural elements whether moon, forest, wind or river you enter Jalal's mystic world and linger long. It ain't jazz (given the strictness of metre and the different musical accents deployed) but comes close enough in its blend and feeling to count and be of interest. Do we get healed? No - but good try.

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Richie Beirach, Leaving, Jazzline ***1/2

Crave on. In the Dave Liebman universe compadre of euphony Richie Beirach - coming up to 76, a mere youth - stops you in your tracks - dead - on 'Nardis'. It takes your breath away, that brittle detonation of fingers on keyboard petroleum grit in …

Published: 13 Apr 2023. Updated: 13 months.

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Crave on. In the Dave Liebman universe compadre of euphony Richie Beirach - coming up to 76, a mere youth - stops you in your tracks - dead - on 'Nardis'. It takes your breath away, that brittle detonation of fingers on keyboard petroleum grit in the air. An intoxication. OK let's not become too carried away although the temptation is omnipresent because these are familiar standards. But I don't like tripartite medleys (and you get that here in part) but not too much of a bummer.

First if lost in the music ground yourself why not and go back to Hubris. Here it is Kenny Werner on steroids as buffs might wake to enough and bypass the grog to know and relish. Leaving was recorded near Bordeaux last summer and not just because is a remarkable vintage. Go for 'On Green Dolphin Street' for the looseness later and Wayne - we will always mourn - for a sprightly 'Footprints' that makes us feel alive.