The Montreal trumpeter Rémi Cormier here dives into a comfortable groove, deploying catchy, straightforward, and direct melodic lines over a cushion of beats drawn from R’n’B and Hip Hop. Cormier’s lyricism somewhat resembles that of Mathias Eick. Of course, Roy Hargrove is an absolute reference, especially since Comier himself strongly claims it. In any case, the young man knows how to make his instrument sing exceptionally well.
If the arrangements remain rather polished, one can notice Bad Plus colours in Unbothered, the penultimate track of the album, while Nick Di Giovanni on guitar delivers exciting flights reminiscent of Julian Lage.
After Glimpse (2023), brimming with afro-roots energy, well-crafted post-bop, and occasional electro excursions, Rich State of Mind presents itself as a late-night nu-jazz that is above all seductive, a bit reassuring, but quite addictive, thank you very much.
Trumpet: Rémi Cormier
Bass: Levi Dover
Piano: Theo Abellard
Percussion: Elli Miller-Maboungou
Drums: Louis-Vincent Hamel
Guitar: Nick Di Giovanni
Vocals: Jennifer-Lee Dupuys
