Emile Parisien Quintet with Joachim Kühn - Sfumato (2016)

French saxophonist Emile Parisien is a jazz visionary. He may have one foot in that ancient soil, but his gaze is firmly fixed on the future. The leading French newspaper Le Monde has called him the best new thing that has happened in European jazz for a long time . The reference points on Parisien s personal musical map are very widely spread indeed. They range from the popular folk traditions of his homeland to the compositional rigour of contemporary classical music, and also to the abstraction of free jazz. And yet everything he does has a naturalness and authenticity about it. Parisien here debuts his new band, a quintet including the esteemed Joachim Kuhn, forty years his senior, alongside new band-mates: guitarist and rising star Manu Codjia, bassist Simon Tailleu and drummer Mario Costa. Together they traverse through free improvisation, finding moments of coruscating energy, painting emotional pictures in sound, as they discover the volcanic energy, humour and sheer quality in each other. What results is a group which brings generations together to create a sound-world rooted in the here and now.

Tracklist:

01. Preambule (5:41)
02. Poulp (7:40)
03. Le Clown Tueur De La Fete Foraine I (4:08)
04. Le Clown Tueur De La Fete Foraine Ii (5:49)
05. Le Clown Tueur De La Fete Foraine Iii (2:56)
06. Duet For Daniel Humair (3:19)
07. Arome De L'air (8:22)
08. Brainmachine (4:07)
09. Umckaloabo (5:06)
10. Balladibiza I (6:51)
11. Balladibiza Ii (4:23)

Personnel:

Emile Parisien / soprano & tenor saxophone
Joachim Kühn / piano
Manu Codjia / guitar
Simon Tailleu / double bass
Mario Costa / drums

Guests (on 03 - 05 & 09):
Michel Portal / bass clarinet
Vincent Peirani / accordion