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Christophe Wallemme: Namaste
ByThat sonic fabric is woven around a combination of the leader's bass, the Edouard brothers' Indian percussion, Nelson Veras's Brazilian guitar and Emmanuel Codjia's electric guitarall of these elements are nicely highlighted on the title track. The tablas and other Indian percussion elements, featured in a bracing workout in the middle of "Tandoori Groove, are not merely seasoning or accents, but an integral part of the music's character. The compositions themselves feature convincing Indian melodic lines, bearing witness to Wallemme's long years of residence there.
Guitarist Codjia contributes a vigorous solo on "Reflection, against a consistently exciting accompaniment by Wallemme and drummer Galland. While Codjia deploys brash rock-influence coloratura on that cut, elsewhere he opts for the shimmering, atmospheric washes. In a crowded room of soloists, Codjia stands out.
If there is a shortcoming to Namaste, it is paradoxically the embarrassment of riches constituted by its musical resources. Like a Russian novel with lots of characters, each with his or her own panoply of names, nicknames and patronymics, it's sometimes hard to keep straight who's talking here. The electric guitarist has at least two voices (one frenzied, the other Frisell-like), the trio of reeds play a variety of instruments among them; someoneVeras?has an affecting lute-like intervention on "Stone Cutter. The multitude of voices certainly prevents the record from boring the listenernot that there was much risk of that happeningbut it also prevents the listener from becoming adequately acquainted with any of the soloists' musical personalities, with the possible exception of Codjia.
Like many bassist-leaders (Steve Swallow, Gary Peacock, perhaps even Mingus), Wallemme the bassist remains somewhat in the background on this record, though he has some noteworthy solos (on "Le temps des moussons," and elsewhere). To his credit, though, Wallemme the arranger, composer and bandleader makes his presence felt in every note.
Track Listing
Holi; Mon Jules; Namaste; Le temps des moussons; Tandoori Groove; Sweet Aum; Reflection; Stone Cutter; Trouble Time; Diwali; La Javanaise.
Personnel
Christophe Wallemme
bassChristophe Wallemme: double bass, composition & arrangements; St
Album information
Title: Namaste | Year Released: 2007 | Record Label: Bee Jazz
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About Christophe Wallemme
Instrument: Bass
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