Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Eric-Maria Couturier / Henri Roger / Emmanuelle Somer /B...

10

Eric-Maria Couturier / Henri Roger / Emmanuelle Somer /Bruno Tocanne: Parce Que!

By

Sign in to view read count
Eric-Maria Couturier / Henri Roger / Emmanuelle Somer /Bruno Tocanne: Parce Que!
The cover of French pianist Henri Roger's latest album, Parce Que! , delivers no information about its title, musicians, the recording etc. Just a plain dark painting and a barcode on the back cover. The mysterious cover, designed by Anne Pesce, is the inspiration for a set of collective improvisations by Roger, together with cellist Eric-Maria Couturier, woodwinds and reed player Emmanuelle Somer and drummer Bruno Tocanne, all participants in previous Roger projects.

The improvisations, as can be found in Roger website, are inspired by the Outrenoir series of about 30 paintings by one of France greatest painters, Pierre Soulages (b. 1919). Soulages is known as "the painter of black," after his unique explorations of light reflections on black colors. The improvisations are sonic abstractions on Soulages impressions on dark lights—intense, dense and profound textures. These improvisations patiently evolve, stressing conflictual yet tight interplay, equivalent to the meeting of the bright light with the dark colors.

Roger and the always resourceful Tocanne define the structure, energy and pulse of these tense pieces, still offering Couturier and Sommer enough room to contribute nuances that intensify the atmosphere. The only exception is the contemplative "Signe banquise," where Somer and Couturier's poetic articulations play lead roles. The last piece, "Griffures au fond," is a culmination of this sonic journey. Powerful, complex exploration of dark sounds, colors and shades, delivered with impressive command and imagination.

Track Listing

Trace ouate; Coulures apparences; Signe banquise; Ratures brumes; Griffures au fond.

Personnel

Eric-Maria Couturier: cello; Henri Roger: piano; Emmanuelle Somer: cor anglais, oboe, bass clarinet, saxophone; Bruno Tocanne: drums.

Album information

Title: Parce Que! | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Instant Musics Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

What Was Happening
Bobby Wellins Quartet
Laugh Ash
Ches Smith
A New Beat
Ulysses Owens, Jr. and Generation Y

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.