FRERES DE SONGS (vinyl)

Description

Saxophonist and composer Eric Séva is one of those prolific musicians who, as soon as they release an album, already have the next one in mind. So, it was shortly after the release of his seventh and beautiful album 'Adeo' that he decided to return to the studio for an eighth disc, completely different from the previous one. This new project, titled 'Frères de Songs', offers an entire album of blues and soul-infused songs, which he had already initiated on his fifth album 'Body and Blues', but on only four tracks and with a very different instrumentation. While 'Body and Blues' was clearly rooted in a blues tradition, using guitars and even banjo and harmonica, 'Frères de Songs', with its resolutely jazz instrumentation, is completely different and is one of those unique albums, impossible to classify or categorize. It's a totally successful fusion of blues, pop, soul, and jazz, as well as a subtle connection between African-American song and French jazz. It took courage to combine baritone or soprano saxophone, trombone, keyboards, and drums to form the musical setting for Michael Robinson's blues and soul songs without using guitar and bass. Faithful musicians like trombonist Daniel Zimmermann, with whom Eric Séva toured for a long time during his 'Nomade Sonore' project and with whom he regularly performs as a duo. Keyboardist Christophe Cravero (who was part of the 'Body and Blues' adventure) is an exceptional multi-instrumentalist who excels in all genres. And finally, a newcomer to Eric Séva's musical universe: drummer Julie Saury, with whom Eric had long wanted to play. As for singer and lyricist Michael Robinson, Eric Séva met him in 2017 during the recording of 'Body & Blues', where he performed an unreleased poem by Nougaro (Blues Diaphane) that Eric transformed into a song. Michael Robinson, a Chicago native, lives in Paris, and it was he who replaced singer Harrison Kennedy on the 'Body and Blues' tour. Eric Séva had a strong desire to collaborate with him again because his vocal timbre, tending towards the high register, brings an airy, fragile, and poetic dimension, in contrast to most blues singers whose deep voices are rooted in the ground. Eric Séva gave Michael Robinson complete freedom to write the lyrics of his choice to his compositions, only indicating the track titles to guide him. Eric also wanted to include three instrumental pieces to lighten his focus on original African-American songs and to also place it in the realm of instrumental jazz with a strong groovy connotation. Lionel Eskenazi.