Synestet – Rôles – Couleurs JAZZ

Hélène Duret’s re-recorded clarinets, upright and bass, open the repertoire on this CD, composed mainly by the leader.

The rest is a magnificent sonority from an ensemble that – in addition to the clarinets – combines the timbres of a tenor sax, electric guitar, double bass and drums. An atypical quintet that explores themes that are often binary. The sound of the upright clarinet is particularly limpid and silky, and it’s this that, for the most part, gives these melodies their flavor.

The rest of the band provides an impressively thick complement, which is not pejorative because this timbral density is truly fascinating. As the only electric and harmonic instrument, the guitar makes a major contribution to the group sound, playing mainly in aerial arpeggios or sumptuous chords, and not so much as a solo, as is often the case with the six-string. The tenor sax, for its part, adds a note that is sometimes bucolic, sometimes angrier, and most of the time is also content with discreet accompaniment.

Far from being a pretext for flamboyant solos, this music has a collective sound identity, and the territories it explores, mostly in slow or medium tempo, possess an undeniable charm. The personalities of each of the quintet’s members are truly singular, and it’s their choice to fit into the band’s mold rather than stand out individually that makes the charm of this highly original formation with its strongly marked identity.

A total success, then, from a band we’re eagerly waiting to see how it evolves, while remaining attentive to what each of its members is doing in other contexts.