Rez-de-Chaussée
Self-Released, 2023
8/10
The debut EP from an assembly of jazz artists from Québec, the Greenhouse Ensemble bring a very colorful and rich delivery to these 6 exciting and precise pieces.
“Introduction” leads the listen with much atmosphere, as Camille Brousseau’s stirring violin and Benjamin Lavoie-Doyon’s emotive upright bass complement the distinct mood, and “Beyond Me” follows with William Lussier’s bright trumpet and Roxane Reddy’s playful vocal scatting making for an animated climate.
The middle belongs to “The Cost Of Lies” and “Medina”, where the former benefits much from Christophe Magnan-Bossé’s mesmerizing piano amid Brousseau’s hypnotic violin, and the latter, the album highlight, makes for a busy and dynamic landscape via the frisky drumming from Simon Desrosiers.
The final 2 tracks are equally impressive, where “Toupet carré” showcases Louis-Martin Ruest’s soothing guitar lines in the intimate demeanor, and “Lucioles” exits with charming scatting, thumping drums, swifts keys and soulful brass for a superbly layered finish.
A highly adventurous and collaborative experience, the 7 members of Greenhouse Ensemble possess much talent, and their combined strength makes for an excellent starting point.
Travels well with: Ally Fiola & The Next Quest- Interblaze; Noah Lemish- Twelve