Here is a beautiful album of European jazz. With its refinement, its mixture of genres and its chamber jazz approach.
Les Égarés brings together two duos of musicians used to working together: Vincent Segal on cello and Ballaké Sissoko on kora; Emile Parisien on soprano saxophone and Vincent Peirani on accordions.
And the two pairs, now a quartet, get along like thieves. Although each one has its moments of improvisation, we are here more in the harmonic complementarity than in the fights of roosters.
And all this flows like a spring stream freed from the ice. The flow is clear as spring water.
The soprano saxophone of Émile Parisien, an emulator of Sydney Béchet, is so fluid that at times you almost think you hear a flute. Ballaké Sissoko’s kora sometimes sounds like a classical guitar. We are dealing here with musicians who know the full potential of their instrument, both in terms of sweetness and virtuosity.
The bias is resolutely in favor of a chamber jazz with an openness to melodic influences from around the world. You won’t really find here free jazz or other contemporary dissonances. But you will hear infinitely rich arrangements, which become more complex as you listen to them.
Most of the pieces are original compositions except for Orient Express by Joe Zawinul (Wheather Report) and Ezperanza by accordionist Marc Peronne.
This album is a pure introspective joy. These Égarés are so inspired.
