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Nicolas Kummert: La Diversité
ByWhilst Kummert's carefully crafted compositions and serpentine saxophone lines are absolutely key to La Diversité it's Loueke's subtle contributions which propel it to the next level. Whilst Loueke has a proclivity for understatement in a similar vein to Bill Frisell, he is equally capable of delivering more raucous expositions such as heard on the rocky "We'll Be Alright," immediately countered by its diametrically opposite acoustic version, "And What If We're Not." Loueke seamlessly moves from electric to acoustic guitar, employing bell like harmonics on "Le Vent Se Lève" and gentle finger picking on "Le Peuple De L'Arc-En-Ciel."
As a duo, evidenced by the Eric Satie-based "Gnossienne A Deux," Kummert and Loueke recall the near-magical teamwork of Jimmy Giuffre and Jim Hall. The poignancy of two versions of Leonard Cohen's hit song "Hallelujah" (and an acoustic "Hallelujah Again") played respectively by the quartet and duo, is emphasised by the typically delicate treatment afforded the pieces. From the West African staccato feel of "Rainbow People" to the languid sultriness of "Diversity Over Purity" this album is mesmeric and innovative, replete with fresh ideas and sounds.
Track Listing
Rainbow People; Le Vent Se Lève; Harmattan; Lighthouse; Hallelujah; Gnossienne; Gnossienne A Deux; Liberté; Le Peuple De L'Arc-En-Ciel; La Terre Ne Ment Pas; Diversity Over Purity; We'll Be Alright; And What If We're Not? Hallelujah Again - In Memory Of Leonard Cohen.
Personnel
Nicolas Kummert: tenor saxophone; Lionel Loueke: guitar; Nicolas Thys: double bass; Karl Jannuska: drums.
Album information
Title: La Diversité | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Edition Records
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