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Louis Sclavis Quintet: L'Affrontement des Pretendents
ByA certain flavor of compositional rigor pervades many of the pieces on L'affrontement. These are generally not jams, improvised in the momentrather, they tend to obey rules regarding tone, harmony, and pulse. For the most part, the group prefers to take structural ideas to their logical extremes. The sprawling concerto piece "Hommage a Lounes Matoub" launches from a gentle trumpet fanfare into an extended cello solo, then evolves into neo-tribal rhythms with plenty of room for everyone to stretch out. Cellist Vincent Courtois makes prominent appearances throughout, providing intermittent harmonic cues for the soloists. This piece is the cornerstone of the record, and it offers the most open space. The recurring North African theme reinforces the fact that Sclavis dedicated the piece to Algerian singer Lounes Matoub. (Yet another signal that this group remains acutely connected to Frenchand French colonialculture.)
For a quintet record, L'affrontement offers a lot of space: the playing field rarely seems crowded. When the musicians get together, they really get together. Gentle lyricism, funk, polyrhythm, and the bell-clear melody all have a place here. This music represents a major step forward for Sclavis's ensemble conception, and it only helps that he chose a fresh collection of musicians to make the recording. (Spend some time checking out trumpeter Jean- Luc Cappozzo and cellist Vincent Courtois. They're worth it.) Listeners with a taste for organized freedom will find L'affrontement a keeper.
Track Listing
L'affrontement des prétendants; Distances; Contre contre; Hors les murs; Possibles; Hommage a Lounes Matoub; Le temps d'apres; Maputo introduction; Maputo; La memoire des mains.
Personnel
Louis Sclavis
woodwindsLouis Sclavis: clarinet, bass clarinet, soprano saxophone; Jean-Luc Cappozzo: trumpet; Vincent Courtois: cello; Bruno Chevillon: bass; Francois Merville: drums.
Album information
Title: L'Affrontement des Pretendents | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: ECM Records
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About Louis Sclavis
Instrument: Woodwinds
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