Douce France Sweet France
Zoho, 2023
8/10
Listen to Douce France Sweet France
The French singer and harpist Margot Sergent makes an impression on this debut with the Zoho label, where Partrick Brennan, Alec Safy, Linus Wyrsch, Ben Silashi and Vitor Goncalves join her for the rich jazz listen.
The swirling beauty of “Keep The Moon In Mind” starts the listen with Brennan’s warm guitar complementing Sergent’s expressive voice that’s quite soulful, and the title track follows with Wyrsch’s clarinet and Safy’s bass making for an intimate and poetic climate.
Moving into the middle, Silashi’s agile drums populate the calm demeanor of “Little Miracles”, where Sergent’s soaring voice is striking, while “La Bohéme” benefits much from Goncalves’ glowing accordion, which adds much emotion to the powerful delivery.
Approaching the end, the playful “Silent Steps” recruits firm guitar from Brennan that suits the smooth singing and charming bass plucking, and “Saudade” exits with much emphasis on the harp, as Sergent’s dreamy manipulation of the strings is heartfelt and exciting.
Sergent’s soprano voice is lovely, her harp playing superb, and the musicians on the album help the songs swing gently, waltz with sophistication and emit worldly rhythms.
Travels well with: The Flying Horse Big Band- A Message From The Flying Horse Big Band; The Moore-McColl Jazz Society- Up And Gone