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Sud: Sud

By Jim Santella
November 1, 2000
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Sud’s tribute to the legacy of guitarist Django Reinhardt travels through an era of “le jazz hot” with traces of Latin American and Mediterranean folk melodies. Half of the program is original music created to explore the “what if” condition. What if Django Reinhardt were alive today? Wouldn’t his music have grown a little toward new directions? “Roots 6406” is a collaboration from the three artists that swings to a New Orleans shuffle rhythm colored with the blues. “Mojo” introduces a Latin folkloric dance rhythm and typical “Southern” melodies. The name of the trio comes from their (sometimes) tropical musical inclination.

“This Guy’s in Love With You” is disguised with creative twists and turns. Django Reinhardt would have made the melody more obvious; however, his music would surely have grown some over the years. It’s a safe bet that he’d have loved Sud’s treatment of a popular song. “Moon River” finds Sylvain Luc expressing a familiar melody while the trio lays down a driving samba rhythm.

Two tracks are drum solos. While Reinhardt loved a driving rhythm, it’s unlikely he’d warm to a Gene Krupa swingfest. Still, there are other considerations. Swing comes in many forms. Would the master Gypsy guitarist have considered that particular kind of big band work?

Ballads feed the listener. Sud provides a few ballads, a samba or two, bebop, and a lot of swinging, acoustic fun. Their eponymous album is an honorable tribute to the legacy of Django Reinhardt and comes highly recommended.

Personnel

Sud

Album information

Title: Sud | Year Released: 2000 | Record Label: Disques Dreyfus

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