Tardif
Ramble, 2022
8/10
The duo of Louis Beaudoin-de la Sablonnière and Éric Normand, as Brûlez les meubles the pair have had a prolific year, as Tardif is their 2nd album, and it brings Jean Derome (alto sax, bass flute) and John Hollenbeck (drums, percussion) into the fold.
“Stoique” starts the listen with warm guitar, where gentle brass and light drums enter the cautious climate, and “A Jazz Tune I Hope” follows with a louder approach that uses Normand’s skilled bass alongside Beaudoin-de la Sablonnière’s agile guitar work for a very spirited album highlight.
Halfway through, “Journée Pédagogique” offers a dense and very energetic mashing of crashing drums and firm sax that’s quite exciting, while “Maiange” focuses much on rapid fire drumming amid the soulful brass, where bare moments of mystery are met with frenzied bouts.
Close to the end, “Dialogue” brings both restraint and adventurousness to the dreamy, minimal instrumentation, and “J’en Ai Connu D’autres” exits with a very dynamic and busy appeal that’s still quite controlled.
Another installment of highly imaginative contemporary jazz and improvised skill, Brûlez les meubles make the most of the quartet setting with unpredictable and mesmerizing sounds.
Travels well with: Brûlez les meubles- L’Appel du Vide; Adoct- Ouvre-Glace