Tracklist :
1 Dding Dek 5:22
2 Madal 6:51
3 Encanto 5:45
4 Bakida 4:41
5 Chinoir 5:10
6 Noche Y Luz 4:35
7 Feel Feliz 4:59
Music By – Fons
8 Heaven 5:20
Music By – Borker
9 Lü 6:10
10 Romanichel 5:03
Credits :
Nguyên Lê -Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Guitar [Electroacoustic], Computer [Editing], Synth [Programmed]
Renaud Garcia-Fons - Bass [Acoustic 5 String Bass]
Tino di Geraldo - Drums, Percussion
And Guests:
Chris Potter - Tenor Saxophone (tracks: 2, 5)
Paolo Fresu - Trumpet, Flugelhorn (tracks: 9)
Carles Benavent - Bass [Electric 5 String Bass] (tracks: 3, 8)
Kudsi Erguner - Ney (tracks: 1)
Jon Balke - Piano (tracks: 10)
Karim Ziad - Instruments [Gumbri, Tarija], Karkabas, Bendir, Vocals (tracks: 9)
Illya Amar - Marimba, Gong [Tuned] (tracks: 1)
Hao Nhiên Pham – Flute [Meo & Sao] (tracks: 9)
A breeze from Sardinia, the hypnotic essence of the Orient, and the enigmatic allure of the Asian world blended with electronic sounds. ACT
Tracklist :
1 Stranieri 5:59
Written-By – Nguyên Lê, Paolo Fresu
2 Byzance 4:24
Written-By – Dhafer Youssef, Nguyên Lê
3 Muqqam 2:43
Written-By – Dhafer Youssef
4 Mali Iwa 6:26
Written-By – Nguyên Lê
5 Zafaran 6:00
Written-By – Dhafer Youssef, Nguyên Lê
6 Domus Janas 2:17
Written-By – Nguyên Lê, Paolo Fresu
7 Kithâra 2:18
Written-By – Dhafer Youssef
8 Chelsea Bridge 3:00
Written-By – Billy Strayhorn
9 Safina 3:26
Written-By – Dhafer Youssef, Nguyên Lê
10 Des Prés 2:19
Written-By – Nguyên Lê, Paolo Fresu
11 Thang Long 5:32
Written-By – Nguyên Lê
12 Neon 3:11
Written-By – Nguyên Lê, Paolo Fresu
13 Mangustao 7:25
Written-By – Dominique Borker
14 Lacrima Christi 3:13
Written-By – Nguyên Lê, Paolo Fresu
15 Beyti 2:53
Written-By – Dhafer Youssef, Nguyên Lê
Credits :
Nguyên Lê – Electric, Acoustic, Fretless, Synthesizer, e-bow, Vietnamese Guitars, Computer programming & electronics
Paolo Fresu – Trumpet, Fluegelhorn & electronics
Dhafer Youssef – Oud, Vocals & electronics
Nguyên Lê is a fusion guitarist who has versatility, leaves space, and does not mind caressing a melody now and then. On 3 Trios, he is heard with three different trios, all of which are impressive and engage in close interplay with the leader. Scott Yanow
"Three trios - and each of them sounds diverse, as if the virtuosity of three guitarists is at play." - ROLLING STONE ACT
Tracklist :
Three Trios (9:43)
1 Silk 3:24
2 Silver 2:29
3 Sand 3:50
4 Dance Of The Comet 6:02
5 Foow 7:50
6 Kinderhund 3:31
7 Woof 6:56
8 Idoma 5:27
9 La Parfum 5:39
10 Blue Monkey 6:09
11 Straight No Chaser 3:35
Credits :
Nguyên Lê - El. & Electroacoustic Guitars, Guitar-Synth and E-bow
Marc Johnson - Acoustic Bass
Peter Erskine - Drums
Dieter Ilg - Acoustic Bass
Danny Gottlieb - Drums
Renaud Garcia-Fons - Acoustic Bass
"Oh man, she's got it! She's good, man! This little girl can play!" What Dizzy Gillespie recognized early on is now undisputed: Terri Lyne Carrington, born in 1965 in Medford, Massachusetts, is today regarded as "the most famous female jazz drummer in the world" (Spiegel Online). For almost 25 years, she has not only been at the forefront of the jazz world as a drummer but also as a composer, arranger, producer, and educator. She has played with jazz world stars including Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Al Jarreau, Stan Getz, David Sanborn, Joe Sample, Cassandra Wilson, Clark Terry, and Dianne Reeves. Her Grammy-winning career began with ACT. "The ACT Years" looks back on this time with 12 tracks and showcases the versatility of this fascinating drummer. ACT
Tracklist :
1 Jazz Is A Spirit 3:39
Terri Lyne Carrington
2 Manic Depression 5:26
Jimi Hendrix
3 Ethiopia 6:19
Joni Mitchell
4 Journey Of Now 4:15
Terri Lyne Carrington / Bob Hurst
5 Voodoo Child (Slight Return) 6:41
Jimi Hendrix
6 Omega 5:22
Jimmy Haslip
7 Burning Of The Midnight Lamp 3:41
Jimi Hendrix
8 Purple Haze 5:19
Jimi Hendrix
9 Mindful Intent 5:34
Terri Lyne Carrington
10 Middle Way 6:57
Terri Lyne Carrington
11 Samsara 7:23
Terri Lyne Carrington
12 If 6 Was 9 4:06
Jimi Hendrix
Credits :
Herbie Hancock - Piano
Nguyên Lê - Guitar
Greg Osby - Alto Saxophone
Adam Rogers - Guitar
Jimmy Haslip - Bass
Terence Blanchard - Trumpet
and many more
"With 'Million Waves,' this trio secures a spot in the premier league." - (STEREOPLAY) ACT
Tracklist :
1 Mille Vagues 5:28
Written-By – Nguyên Lê
2 Trilogy 21:00
Written-By – Danny Gottlieb, Dieter Ilg, Nguyên Lê
3 Be Good 4:16
Written-By – Nguyên Lê
4 Mango Blues 4:16
Written-By – Nguyên Lê
5 Butterflies & Zebras 3:25
Written-By – Nguyên Lê
6 Little Wing 4:01
Written-By – Jimi Hendrix
7 El Saola 5:48
Written-By – Dominique Borker, Nguyên Lê
8 Sledge 2:50
Written-By – Nguyên Lê
9 Moonshine 3:56
Written-By – Dominique Borker, Nguyên Lê
10 I Feel Good 3:59
Written-By – James Brown
Credits :
Nguyên Lê - Electric Guitar, Guitar Synthesizer, E-bow
Dieter Ilg - Acoustic Bass, Mouth Jive
Danny Gottlieb - Drums & Percussion
"The perfect fusion of Western rhythms and melodies with the unique soundscapes of the Far East" - (MUSIKWOCHE) ACT
Tracklist :
1 The Soaring Of The Heron 6:37
2 All Is Peace 4:19
3 One River, Two Streams 5:47
4 Lovers On The Mountain 5:27
5 Crossing The Bridge 4:49
6 Autumn Wind 5:12
7 Blackbird Song 5:32
8 The Awaiting 8:04
9 Going Back To Hué 6:20
10 The Source 5:01
Credits :
Huong Thanh - Vocals
Nguyên Lê - Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Fretless Bass, Synths & Computer Programming
Hao Nhiên Pham - Bamboo Flute, 3-stringed Lute (dàn dày)
Duong Tam - 16-Strings Zither (dàn tranh), Moon Shaped Lute (dàn nguyêt), Lotus Lute (dàn sen), Monocorde (dàn bau), Woodblock (song lan), Backing Vocals
Dominique Borker - Acoustic piano, Synths
Illya Amar - Sanza
Tino di Geraldo - Cajón, Frame Drum, Palmas
Karim Ziad - Gumbri
Paolo Fresu - Trumpet
‘East meets West’ was the central theme in the life of Nesuhi Ertegün (1917-1989). He grew up as the son of the Turkish Ambassador in Washington, and Nesuhi himself was to become an ambassador too: one of the most important producers and advocates that jazz has ever had. On the 30th anniversary of his death, Jazz at Berlin Philharmonic curator Siggi Loch dedicated an evening to commemorating this friend and mentor who had been like a father to him. For Nesuhi, jazz had no borders; this concert was a posthumous validation of the farsightedness of that vision.
On the cultural world map, East-West today is synonymous with the tense relationship between Europe and Asia, between Occident and Orient. From the Renaissance to the present day, there have been repeated waves of enthusiasm for Eastern culture in the West. And for the hundred years or so that jazz has existed, it too has always tended to absorb elements from other cultures into its stylistic vocabulary. Conversely, artists from Eastern cultures have embraced jazz, fused it with their own traditions, revealing new and fascinating expressive possibilities.
Black String, the South Korean quartet led by geomungo player Yoon Jeong Heo, takes a 1500-year old Korean musical tradition and brings it into the modern era and into jazz in way which is totally compelling artistically. NES Trio with charismatic singer/cellist Nesrine Belmokh has a distinctive sound drawn from the musical melting pot of the Mediterranean region. A special guest is the Moroccan oud and guembri player Majid Bekkas, who has often brought the Gnawa blues of his homeland into projects ranging from “folklore imaginaire” to avantgarde jazz. And providing the perfect East-West link is French-Vietnamese guitarist Nguyên Lê, whose go-between role combin-ing the worlds of jazz, rock and Asian folk music has been pio-neering. Together they celebrate a meeting of East and West. Nesui Ertegün would have been overjoyed. ACT
Tracklist :
1 Aicha 2:55
2 Bye Bye 5:26
3 You Made It Hard For Me 5:04
4 Ahlam 6:32
5 Rimitti 6:31
6 Hanging Gardens Of Babylon 7:23
7 Elevation Of Light 3:51
8 Encore: Bania 5:23
Credits :
the art in music: Cover art by Philip Taaffe, Isfahan (2009), by courtesy of Jablonka Galerie Cologne
Majid Bekkas - Guembri & Vocals
Nguyên Lê - Guitar
NES
Nesrine - Vocals & Cello
Matthieu Saglio - Cello & Vocals
David Gadea - Percussion
Black String
Yoon Jeong Heo - Geomungo
Jean Oh - Guitar
Aram Lee - Gaegeum & Yanggeum
Min Wang Hwang - Ajaeng & Janggu
Tracklist :
1 Soriba Kouyaté / Paolo Fresu / Linley Marthe / Joël Allouche– Massanicissé 4:11
2 Javier Paxariño / Glen Velez– Cortesanos 4:55
3 E.S.T.– Dodge The Dodo 4:36
4 Nguyên Lê / Renaud Garcia-Fons / Tino Di Geraldo / Carles Benavent– Encanto 5:41
5 Kudsi Erguner / Christof Lauer / Michel Godard / Mark Nauseef– Sufimaj 4:00
6 Schäl Sick Brass Band– Malka Moma 2:46
7 Bazillus (2) Featuring Eddie Harris / Jamaaladeen Tacuma– Back To Ed-E 3:48
8 Nils Landgren Funk Unit / Fred Wesley– Six Beauties On A Rooftop 3:55
9 Gilberto Gil– Oslodum 4:00
10 Jens Thomas / Paolo Fresu / Antonello Salis– The Man With The Harmonica 3:08
11 Larry Coryell / Philip Catherine / Joachim Kühn– Deus Xango 5:27
12 The Real Group / Toots Thielemans– Vem Kan Segla Förutan Vind 3:36
13 Michael Riessler / Elise Caron / Jean-Louis Matinier / Pierre Charial– Itinéraires/Verticalement 4:34
14 Huong Thanh / Nguyên Lê– Lovers On The Mountain 3:22
15 Christof Lauer / Marc Ducret / Michel Godard / Gene Jackson– Ferma L'Ali 5:47
16 Vince Mendoza / Charlie Mariano / Dave Liebman / WDR Big Band Köln– Pavane 4:22
17 Steve Klink– Mountain Blues 4:27
18 Sidsel Endresen / Bugge Wesseltoft– Epilogue 1:43
Guitarist Nguyên Lê pays tribute to Jimi Hendrix by performing ten of the late rock innovator's songs on this 2002 CD. Lê plays in the tradition of Hendrix without directly copying him, being creative and stretching himself. The occasional vocals by drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, Aïda Khann, and Corin Curschellas (which are sometimes spoken as much as sung) are unfortunately not as interesting and are mostly distracting. Bassist Michel Alibo is excellent during his solos and Lê shows originality in his improvisations, but the music overall is more heartfelt than essential, particularly since Hendrix's own records are easily available. Scott Yanow
"CD of the Month, November 2002: 'Nguyên Lê sets standards with 'Celebrating Hendrix'" - (STEREOPLAY) ACT
Tracklist :
1 1983... (A Merman I Should Turn To Be) 6:05
Electric Bass – Michel Alibo
Piano [Acoustic] – Bojan Zulfikarpasic
Vocals – Terri Lyne Carrington
2 Manic Depression 5:27
Electric Bass – Michel Alibo
Vocals – Aïda Khann
3 Are You Experienced 6:13
Electric Bass – Meshell Ndegeocello
Percussion [Loop] – Tino Di Geraldo
Vocals – Corin Curschellas
4 Purple Haze 5:19
Electric Bass – Michel Alibo
Vocals – Terri Lyne Carrington
5 Burning Of The Midnight Lamp 7:13
Electric Bass – Michel Alibo
Vocals – Terri Lyne Carrington
6 If 6 Was 9 4:06
Electric Bass – Michel Alibo
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Bojan Zulfikarpasic
Vocals – Aïda Khann
7 Voodoo Child (Slight Return) 6:42
Electric Bass – Meshell Ndegeocello
Percussion [Gumbri], Percussion [North African] – Karim Ziad
Vocals – Aïda Khann
Vocals, Handclaps – B'net Houariyat
8 South Saturn Delta 4:44
Electric Bass – Michel Alibo
Vocals – Terri Lyne Carrington
9 Up From The Skies 3:48
Electric Bass – Michel Alibo
Vocals – Terri Lyne Carrington
10 Third Stone From The Sun 5:44
Electric Bass – Michel Alibo
Vocals – Corin Curschellas
Credits :
Nguyên Lê - Guitars, Guitar-Synth
Michel Alibo - Electric Bass
Terri Lyne Carrington - Drums & Vocals
Aïda Khann & Corin Curschellas - Vocals
Meshell Ndegeocello - Electric Bass
Karim Ziad - Gumbri & North African Percussions
Bojan Zulfikarpasic - Acoustic Piano & Fender Rhodes Piano
The Algerian-born drummer, percussionist, composer and gumbri player combines the North African music of his homeland with jazz and world music. After moving to France, he worked with many renowned musicians such as Joe Zawinul, Nguyên Lê and the Orchestre National de Jazz. Ziad is known for his ability to incorporate traditional rhythms from the Maghreb region, such as Gnawa and Rai, into modern jazz compositions. As musical director of the Orchestre National de Barbès, he shaped the Algerian music scene and contributed to the international recognition of North African music. Karim Ziad is an innovative artist who builds cultural bridges between traditional and modern music. ACT
Tracklist :
1 Aît Oumrar 5:15
– Traditional
Arranged By – Karim Ziad, Abdelkbir Merchane
2 Ya Rijal 4:47
Written-By – Karim Ziad, Nguyên Lê
3 Awra 6:08
– Traditional
Arranged By – Hamid Mestari, Karim Ziad
4 Lebnia 5:52
– Traditional
Arranged By – Karim Ziad
5 Alouhid 5:52
Written-By – Karim Ziad, Nguyên Lê, Takfarinas
6 Sandiya 4:40
– Traditional
Arranged By – Karim Ziad, Abdelkbir Merchane
7 Amaliya 3:38
– Traditional
Arranged By – Karim Ziad
8 Gwarir 4:51
Written-By – Karim Ziad
9 The Joker 5:32
Written-By – Bojan Zulfukarpasic
10 Nesrafet 4:41
Written-By – Karim Ziad
Credits :
Backing Vocals – Gaëlle Hervé, Marielle Hervé
Banjo, Backing Vocals – Abdenour Djemaï
Bass Guitar – Linley Marthe (tracks: 1, 5, 7 to 10), Michel Alibo (tracks: 2, 3, 4)
Design – Peter Krüll
Flute – David Aubel
Flute [Pehl Flute] – Ali Wague
Guitar – Nguyên Lê (tracks: 2, 5)
Lead Vocals – Hamid Mestari (tracks: 3), Karim Ziad (tracks: 2, 4, 5, 7), Abdelkbir Merchane (tracks: 1, 6, 8)
Percussion, Backing Vocals – Khliff Miziallaoua
Piano – Bojan Zulfikarpašić
Producer, Drums, Percussion, Guitar, Backing Vocals – Karim Ziad
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Alain Debiossat
Synthesizer – Jean-Philippe Rykiel (tracks: 3, 5)
Tenor Saxophone – Vincent Mascart
Blending Western fusion jazz with Eastern structures and dissonance, Nguyen Le constructs a compelling pastiche. Perhaps most interesting is Huong Thanh's vocal in Vietnamese. Tim Sheridan
"A captivating symbiosis of ethno-sounds and refreshing jazz dynamics" - (MAX) ACT
Tracklist :
1 The Wind Blew It Away (Qua Câu Gio Bay) 7:30
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
Arranged By [Assistant] – Dominique Borker
2 The Black Horse (Ly Ngua O) 4:10
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
3 Don't You Go Away My Friend (Nguoi Oi Nguoi O Dung Vê) 7:26
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
Arranged By [Assistant] – Dominique Borker
4 Trông Com (The Rice Drum) 4:04
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
Arranged By [Assistant] – Dominique Borker
5 Hen Ho (Promise Of A Date) 5:24
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
6 The Banyan Tree Song (1. Ly Cai Da/2. The Pillow (Cai Gôi)/3. The Hill (Trèo Lên Quan Dôc) 8:19
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
7 Spring Of Life (Hoai Xuân) 3:21
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
Written-By – Tô Man Châu
8 Ting Ning 3:42
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
9 Mangustao Pt. 1 4:36
Written-By, Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
Written-By, Arranged By [Assistant] – Dominique Borker
10 Mangustao Pt. 2 5:54
Written-By, Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
Written-By, Arranged By [Assistant] – Dominique Borker
Credits :
Acoustic Bass [Accoustic] – Michel Benita
Drums – Joël Allouche (tracks: 1, 2, 6, 9)
Drums, Percussion – Steve Argüelles (tracks: 2, 3, 4, 10), Trilok Gurtu (tracks: 5, 8)
Lute [Moon Lute] – Thai An (tracks: 3)
Percussion, Marimba, Piano, Keyboards – François Verly
Performer [Sapek Clappers, Dan Bau], Zither [Dan Tranh], Flute [Sao Flute] – Hao Nhien
Producer, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Tracking By [Overdubs], Programmed By – Nguyên Lê
Saxophone, Flute [African], Alto Flute, Bass Flute, Concertina – Simon S. Hansen
Tracking By [Overdubs] – Pierre Bengon-Lours, Stéphane Luginbuhl, Valérie Abrial
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Paolo Fresu
Vocals – Huong Thanh
Vietnamese vocalist Huong Thanh rose to fame in the new millennium as her nation's premier jazz talent. Thanh was brought up in a musical household steeped in the cai luong tradition. Mentored by her father, famed vocalist Huu Phuoc, Thanh was trained in the complex musical style blending the demands of a complex tonal language with operatic expression and storytelling. She studied formally in Saigon, beginning at age 13. By 16 Thanh had taken the stage in her first of many cai luong productions. Touring throughout Europe matured Thanh as a musician, and offered opportunities to be exposed to different musical styles. Thanh often returned to Vietnam, recording with some of the nation's most renowned talents. On one such trip she was introduced to guitarist Nguyên Lê, who introduced her to the world of jazz. Thanh joined Lê's Tales from Vietnam project, which toured Europe extensively and released highly acclaimed material exploring traditional Vietnamese music with jazz sensibilities. In 1999 Thanh applied the valuable experience she gained with Tales from Vietnam to her solo career. Moon and Wind, her debut disc, was released by the ACT label that year, to rave reviews. With each release that followed, Thanh earned a larger audience for her special brand of jazz. Following Dragonfly (2001) and Mangustao (2004), Huong Thanh's fourth disc, Fragile Beauty, was released in 2007. The album peaked at number two on World Music Charts Europe, generating Thanh's strongest sales yet. Evan C. Gutierrez
Tracklist :
1 Perfumed Flower (Hoa Thơm Bướm Lượn) 6:35
2 The Mountain And The Source (Thoả Nỗi Nhớ Mong / Sông Cầu Nước Chảy Lê Thê) 5:21
3 In The Pagoda (Vào Chùa) 6:44
4 The Blue Dome Of The Sky 6:37
5 Heave Ho ! (Hò Nện) 3:47
6 The Courting (Lý Đò Đưa) 5:13
7 Cold Winter, Faraway Land 5:54
8 South Delta Song 4:57
9 Moon Boat (Ngồi Tựa Mạn Thuyền) 5:45
10 Like A Guitar With No Strings (Hát Ru Nam Bộ) 3:36
Credits :
Acoustic Bass [Pizzicato], Arco Bass – Michel Benita
Choir – The Barbès Faith Choir
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Synthesizer, Sampler, Computer, Producer, Arranged By, Engineer, Mixed By – Nguyên Lê
Fretless Bass [Electric] – Michel Alibo
Goblet Drum [Zarb], Cajón, Daf, Udu, Tambourine [Rek], Ghatam [Gatam] – Bijan Chemirani
Oboe, English Horn – Paul McCandless
Oud – Dhafer Youssef
Percussion [West Indies Percussion Like Ti Bwa, Tambu Ka, Chacha] – Bago
Piano, Electric Piano – Dominique Borker
Singing Bowls [Tibetan Bowls], Bells [Tuned Bell], Gong [Gongs], Chimes – François Verly
Strings – The Barbès Deluxe
Trumpet – Paolo Fresu
Vibraphone, Marimba – Illya Amar
Vocals – Huong Thanh
Vocals, Guimbri, Tabla, Cymbal [Hand Cymbals] – Karim Ziad
Zither [Đàn Bầu], Flute [Sao (transverse), Tiêu (straight Bamboo Flutes)], Lute [Dan Tam (3-strings Fretless), Dan Nguyêt (moon Shaped)], Zither [16-strings Dan Tranh] – Hao Nhiên
Zither [Đàn Bầu], Zither [16-strings Dan Tranh], Lute [Dan Kim] – Duong Tam
"It is, without exaggeration, one of the best jazz albums of the last ten years" (RHEIN-NECKAR-ZEITUNG) CD of the Month, April 2005 AUDIO ACT
Guitarist Nguyên Le explores a wide span of modern styles throughout
Walking on the Tiger's Tail. Some of the up-tempo pieces are essentially
fusion while other selections look towards the folk-jazz of Oregon
(helped out by the many horns of Paul McCandless), world music and
post-bop jazz. The bassless quartet finds each of the musicians assuming
the role of the bass at one time or another, and so effectively that
one rarely notices its absence. Le's passionate guitar solos, the
mixture of stylists and styles, and the inventive originals (which
include some impressionistic ballads) make the music completely
unclassifiable as anything but stimulating 21st century creative jazz. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Wingless Flight 4:38
Nguyên Lê
2 Yielding Water 6:02
Nguyên Lê
3 Totsu! 7:55
Nguyên Lê
4 Snow on a Flower 5:34
Nguyên Lê
5 Jorai 5:05
Nguyên Lê
6 Butterfly Dream 5:52
Nguyên Lê
7 Walking on the Tiger's Tail 8:21
Nguyên Lê
8 Bee 5:25
Nguyên Lê
9 Evening Glory 4:59
Nguyên Lê
10 Zamora 6:39
Nguyên Lê
11 Eventail 5:07
Nguyên Lê
Credits
Drums, Percussion – Jamey Haddad
Producer – Nguyên Lê
Electric Guitar, Guitar [Electroacoustic], Electronics, Composed By, Liner Notes – Nguyên Lê
Oboe, Soprano Saxophone, Sopranino Saxophone, Oboe, English Horn, Bass Clarinet – Paul McCandless
Piano – Art Lande
Special Guests:
Cæcilie Norby - Vocals
Leszek Możdżer - Piano
For sheer melodic and timbral beauty, there are few languages that can match Vietnamese -- like most tonal languages, it sounds like it's being sung even when it's being spoken, and the effect is like a series of delicate, tuned gongs being struck quickly in sequence. The language's inherent lyricism brings an added layer of complexity and beauty to the traditional and dramatic Vietnamese song repertoire, and on this album vocalist Huong Thanh adds yet another layer to those song traditions by teaming up with guitarist, producer, and arranger Nguyên Lê. Lê's arrangements are varied in tone and texture, but almost all are both strange and wonderful, and his guitar solos are exquisite. On "Weaving & Awaiting" there's a gorgeous moment at the end of his solo when Thanh's vocals come back in, but multi-tracked in close harmony; "Plantation Song" flows gently in a jazzy style; "The Swallows' Bridge" features lovely counterpoint between a Japanese koto and a fretless electric bass, over which dances a cool and complex horn chart. Perhaps the album's most beautiful track is the final one, "Tales of the Mountain," on which funky beats bump up against a gentle arrangement, tastefully restrained guitar, and Thanh's otherworldly voice. It's one of the most softly impressive songs on an album that is full of both sweet melodic beauty and subtly dense complexity. Very highly recommended. Rick Anderson
"Behind Thanh's warm-hearted voice, guitarist Lê lays down subtle grooves that ingeniously bring together musicians and instruments from all over the world." - STEREOPLAY ACT
Tracklist :
1 Drifting On The Water 3:48
2 Weaving & Awaiting 5:58
3 Faithfulness 3:39
4 Plantation Song 4:22
5 The Five Calls Of The Night 5:03
6 Fragile Beauty 5:12
7 Rowing The Sampan 3:17
8 The Pavillon Of Crystallized Azure 4:54
9 At Dusk, From The West Balcony 4:18
10 Go Cong Blues 3:57
11 The Swallow's Bridge 6:23
12 Tales Of The Mountain 7:18
Credits:
Acoustic Bass [Pizzicato, Arco 5-string] – Renaud Garcia-Fons
Backing Vocals – Nguyên Van-Hong
Balafon [Trung] – Illya Amar
Bass [Fretless] – Etienne Mbappé
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Synthesizer, Computer – Nguyên Lê
Koto – Mieko Miyazaki
Percussion – Alex Tran, Francis Lassus
Piano – Dominique Borker
Recorded By, Mixed By, Producer – Nguyên Lê
Soprano Saxophone, Flute [Flutes] – Stéphane Guillaume
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Paolo Fresu
Vocals – Huong Thanh
Zither [Đàn Bầu], Zither [16-strings Dàn Tranh], Flute [Sao, Meo Bamboo Flutes] – Hao Nhiên Pham
Esbjörn Svensson has stood not only once on stage in Montreux. He was already a guest in the summer of 1998 at the jazz festival on Lake Gen...
