Noé Huchard – Young and Fine

Noé Huchard’s music has a joyful, overflowing energy that pours out in melodic flows of admirable vigor.

On compositions mostly penned by himself, the pianist—who adds his voice in places in the form of re-recorded backing vocals and discreet percussion—offers contrasting soundscapes where his touch, sometimes vigorous, sometimes more restrained, works wonders.

While the emphasis here is on cantabile, Huchard has a knack for alternating long melodic phrases dominated by the right hand with subtle chords played by the left.

His themes often display a youthful candor that alternates with passages revealing great maturity. In this context, the accompaniment of his two partners is first-rate, and one senses that they are in total empathy with the leader, to whom they bring a remarkably refined playing style.

Rather than confining himself to trio playing—an art in which he excels—Huchard has chosen to add his voice to several tracks, giving these themes a most welcome lyrical dimension.

This is therefore a highly original recording, the second album by a young musician at the peak of his powers, whose highly promising musical career we will be delighted to follow.