Mountain Melody
GLM, 2021
8/10
An esteemed saxophonist who might best be known as a member of the highly creative outfit Quadro Nuevo, Mulo Francel takes on a very daring project here as all the tracks were recorded on the top of 10 peaks in Norway, Greece, Italy, China, Iran and Egypt.
“The Viking” leads the listen with Francel’s soulful sax alongside playful horns and winds, where twinkling percussion adds much to the very diverse climate, and it isn’t long until “The Wise” moves with a mysterious, elegant and warm spirit that welcomes plenty of Eastern ideas.
Elsewhere, “Olympic Voice” is 2 minutes of Francel’s sublime sax prowess, while “Poet On A Mountaintop” recruits strategic harp for the gorgeously textured delivery. “Ikarus’ Dream”, one of the album’s best, then blends winds, brass, drumming and piano for a dreamy and absorbing album highlight.
Close to the end, “Vulcano” emits an upbeat quality that’s layered with much attention to detail, and “With Or Without The Glacier” flows with the keys and sax interacting amid the meticulous and hypnotic precision.
Amazingly, Francel and company hauled all the instruments and recording equipment up these mountains, and with the 20+ musicians on hand across the listen, it makes for another must listen effort in Francel’s catalog of 40+ albums.
Travels well with: Quadro Nuevo- Mare; Andreas Hinterseher- Stay Away And Play!