Sylvie Courvoisier, Chimaera, Intakt ****

A thought provoking and highly abstract double CD comprising mostly long pieces from avant pianist Sylvie Courvoisier's Chimaera ensemble of Wadada Leo Smith, stark and compelling on 'Annâo', Nate Wooley, Drew Gress (brilliant on opener 'Le pavot …

Published: 22 Oct 2023. Updated: 46 days.

A thought provoking and highly abstract double CD comprising mostly long pieces from avant pianist Sylvie Courvoisier's Chimaera ensemble of Wadada Leo Smith, stark and compelling on 'Annâo', Nate Wooley, Drew Gress (brilliant on opener 'Le pavot rouge'), Kenny Wollesen and Christian Fennesz, inspired by the symbolist painter Odilon Redons.

Compositions are by Courvoisier - Chimaera was recorded last year in New York. Wadada's contribution speaks volumes on 'Le sabot de Venus' in a setting that provides a whole lot of space and a sound that is so genreless you could hear this album on a classical radio station as easily as a jazz one. Often unsettling and mysterious in its progress the ensemble creates a sound that seems bigger than it is and paints sound imagery that remains vivid throughout.

Tags: reviews

Brian Melvin, Søren Lee, Mads Søndergaard, Tranesformation, Storyville ***1/2

A very loose and laidback soul-jazz trio tribute to John Coltrane here from American drummer Brian Melvin and Danish guitarist Søren Lee in an organ soaked setting - with Lee's fellow Dane Mads Søndergaard completing the line-up. Not at all a …

Published: 22 Oct 2023. Updated: 46 days.

Next post

A very loose and laidback soul-jazz trio tribute to John Coltrane here from American drummer Brian Melvin and Danish guitarist Søren Lee in an organ soaked setting - with Lee's fellow Dane Mads Søndergaard completing the line-up. Not at all a serious or ponderous affair more a supper club kind of band and approach, the trio often gliding lovingly through staples from the Coltrane canon including 'Naima,' 'Impressions' and a blissful take on 'I'll Wait and Pray'. Lee has a very agile communicative sound best heard on 'Afro Blue' while Søndergaard's constantly pulsing organ accompaniment adds a lot of flavour to what is a feelgood album. Melvin is a fine drummer - he reminds us of the much missed Steve Reid in his expansiveness and mobility - and this album is a welcome reminder of just what he can do.