L'échelle du temps
Effendi, 2022
8/10
A prominent figure in the Quebec jazz scene for over 20 years now, Yves Léveillé is well versed in jazz, world music and classical ideas, and here he meshes them all with both traditional and experimental nods present and appreciated.
The title track opens the listen with a stirring climate, where Léveillé’s soft, precise keys complement the plucked and bowed strings, and “Couleur grenade” follows with a swifter approach that displays firm violins against the dancing piano.
At the midpoint, “Encodage”, the best track, brings much melody and dynamic interaction between the strings and piano, while “Sans Retour” flows with fascinating intimacy that’s quite poetic and emotional.
Making our way towards the end, “Embrasure” emits a dreaminess where the meticulous piano suits the melancholic strings, and “Le réservoir” finishes the listen with much grace and the strong attention to song craft that Léveillé is known for.
Léveillé is joined by Lizann Gervais (violin), Oliver Thouin (violin), Francois Valliéres (viola), Émilie Girard-Charest (cello) and Étienne LaFrance (double bass) for the occasion, and together they make this 9th album both moody and lively, where modern jazz and chamber jazz are executed superbly.
Travels well with: JoyRide- JoyRide; Greg Amirault- News Blues