Lucien Dubuis: Le Retour (2007)

Mark Corroto

Senior Contributor since 1999

Mark misses his large dog Louie, but endeavors daily to find and listen to new and interesting sounds.

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Published: December 4, 2007

When jazz musicians were rocks stars... Wait, when rock stars were rock stars and not contestants for the next TV talent show, the music could be dangerous. But in these days when war is the new democracy, jazz stars are the new rock stars. Playing it safe is not the object for Lucian Dubuis' trio; its music is indeed dangerous.

Le Retour is the follow-up to Tovorak (Tovorak Records, 2005), and it again rocks. Sure, Dubuis' primary instrument is bass clarinet, but like Mats Gustafsson's baritone saxophone playing with the Scandinavian group The Thing, this music carries the energy and jeopardy of the finest garage bands of any generation.

Armed with the one, two, and three minute song attack, the trio shreds the airwaves with funk, heavy metal, rock, jazz and serious mayhem. "Sensara, is both shrill and overblown. The throwback NY Downtown sound reminds you of the DIY punk-inspired jazz that was being made in the old Knitting Factory. But of course the Lucien Dubuis trio is more. They play speed changes on "Les copains monstres, a sensuous elevator minute on "Shit Pop, a Marc Ribot blues-inspired rodeo on "Shit Interlude and Ribot-sounding surf music with "Shit rock'n'roll. You have to figure Dubuis' inside 'shit' joke is a compliment to his good friend Ribot.

Strange (but it shouldn't be) that organic, real music like Le Retour can be so fresh, vital, and wickedly good for you.

Track Listing: Il �tait une fois; Sansara; Petite fleur bleue; Shit funk; Gagon; Sosores; Les copains monstres; Shit Pop; Princesse de l'espace; Ylano; Shit interlude; Gacor; You're awesome; Le 31e; Quincoquin; Shit rock'n'roll; Ein St�ck f�r Freizeit; First Love.

Personnel: Lucien Dubuis: alto saxophone, bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet; Roman Nowka bass, guitar; Lionel Friedli: drums; Dania Rodari: vocals (9).

Record Label: Unit Records
Style: Fringes of Jazz