Project Seb Parent
Self-Released, 2023
8/10
The Montreal drummer Sébastien Parent makes quite an impression with this debut album, where plenty of big band ideas are present, as are many players for the isolated recordings that took place during the height of Covid.
“Grande Sainte-Marie” opens the listen with a warm buzzing, as fluid drumming and Henri Bouchard’s frisky bass enters the rhythmic climate, and “Nuage Industriel” follows with a dreamy demeanor that benefits much from Florence Beauquier-Léger’s soulful brass.
At the halfway point, “Station Du Collége” blends the brass, drums and guitars with a very meticulous energy, while Échec Crucial” finds a mesmerizing place to ride that carries a cinematic presence via the hazy guitar and heartfelt horns.
The 2 best tracks reside at the end, where the big band nods of “Rat Pack” are immediately exciting, and “Bling Bling” exits with a very stylish mashing of jazz and club ready electro-pop.
Parent’s formative years included absorbing plenty of rock, classical, neo-soul, country, trap and bossa nova, and all those influences are certainly present and appreciated across this eclectic listen.
Travels well with: Duncan Hopkins- Who Are You? The Music Of Kenny Wheeler; The Artie Roth Quartet- Resonants