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Moutin Factory Quintet: Mythical River

By Dan Bilawsky
June 11, 2019
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Not so long ago, fresh off a two-week tour that stretched along the path of the Mississippi River, the Moutin Factory Quintet took to a Paris studio to record the material that would come to constitute this album. Drawing inspiration from those mythic waters while stylistically keeping a good distance from sounds that emerged from its depths previously, bassist

Francois Moutin

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Francois Moutin and his drumming brother, Louis, put together a program that's bold, bracing, and thought-provoking in nature.

Opening with the slamming grooves and unnerving lines of "Forward," the brothers hint at the blues while filtering it through a varicolored lens. They follow that introductory offering with a trio of pieces originally composed for No Human Is Illegal, Richard Ledes' 2017 documentary about refugees detained on the Greek island of Lesvos. There's an eerie resonance to be found in saxophonist

Christophe Monniot

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Christophe Monniot's mournful sopranino sighs and guitarist

Manu Codjia

guitar, electric
b.1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Manu Codjia's well-matched textural designs on "No Human Is Illegal"; a resolute blue streak in the

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane-indebted wilds of "Fight And Anger"; and a mournful air on "Tears And Despair." Taken together, they form a triptych addressing broader implications in light of the world's many refugee crises and their subsequent responses.

Stepping away from a cinematic realm, the music remains compelling and fresh on its own terms. "Summer Twilight" delivers some offbeat groove play and searing guitar, "Echoing" highlights the contributions of pianist

Paul Lay

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Paul Lay, "Wayne's Medley" leaves it all to the Moutins, and "Blessed and Cursed" taps into a cooler vein while putting Fran?ois' active bass in a central space. This river is most certainly wide, reflecting the boundless reach of brotherly bonds.

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Track Listing

Forward; No Human Is Illegal; Fight And Anger; Tears And Despair; Summer Twilight; Echoing; Wayne's Medley; Trauma; Blessed And Cursed; In Love; Take It Easy.

Personnel

Moutin Factory Quintet

band / ensemble / orchestra

Francois Moutin

bass

Louis Moutin

drums

Paul Lay

piano

Manu Codija

guitar

Christophe Monniot

saxophone

Axelle Du Rouret

vocals

Album information

Title: Mythical River | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: Laborie Records

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