Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Éric Normand 5: Sur un fil

4

Éric Normand 5: Sur un fil

By

Sign in to view read count
Éric Normand 5: Sur un fil
The quintet of electric bassist Eric Normand features reed player Jean Derome and percussionist Michel F. Côté, leading improvisers from Montreal's creative scene who have developed highly original free improvisations based on graphic scores, drawings and notated melodies that include an imaginative John Tchicai cover. This excellent quintet was recorded live in 2009 in Normand's countryside hometown, Rimouski, Quebec.

The compositions drift freely between ambient, often noisy textures and minimalistic chamber and free jazz attacks. The sound is expanded with electronic effects, feedback and extended techniques. They mold the title piece's sonic envelope with impressive patience and self control. The musicians suggest an architecture comprised of unconventional, subtle elements and arresting, nuanced interactions, with enough space for all musicians to add personal interpretations.

The second song stresses a loose rhythmic core, articulated by vibes player Antoine Létourneau-Berger and Côté as the basis for sparse interventions. The cover of Tchicai's "Fields, Cows and Flowers" is a contemporary chamber improvisation that subtly touches the dramatic melodic outlines of the playful original. This piece highlights the highly personal language of Derome, cellist James Darling and Côté. The final piece, "Sur Deux Chaises," structures tension and features a series of game-like nuances and creative sonic collisions. Any tone, silent, childish or otherworldly as it may be, is welcome.

Imaginative and inspirational.

Track Listing

Sur Un Fil; Sur La Glace; Fields, Cows and Flowers; Sur Deux Chaises.

Personnel

Jean Derome: flute, alto saxophone, bird call; James Darling: cello; Antoine Létourneau-Berger: vibes, cymbals; Michel F. Côté: drums, feedbacks; Éric Normand: electric bass.

Album information

Title: Sur un fil | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Setola di Maiale

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

Fiesta at Caroga
Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective
Fellowship
David Gibson
Immense Blue
Olie Brice / Rachel Musson / Mark Sanders

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

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