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Atlantico: New Easter Island

By Mark Sullivan
March 31, 2019
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Atlantico

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">Atlantico is co-lead by French jazz pianist

Sebastien Paindestre

piano
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Sebastien Paindestre and U.S. reed and woodwind player

" data-original-title="" title="">David Schroeder. They made their recorded debut with En Rouge (La Fabrica'son, 2016). On this sequel—the second in a planned triptych—they are again joined by acoustic bassist

Martin Wind

bass, acoustic
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Martin Wind and drummer

Billy Drummond

drums
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Billy Drummond, along with two guests.

Schroeder's "The House That John Built" starts things off with a challenging nod to

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane's "Giant Steps," with the help of guest soprano saxophonist

Billy Drewes

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Billy Drewes. Schroeder's bass flute engages in a lively dialog with the sax, and the whole performance has a lightness and joy that transcends the harmonic difficulties.

The title tune features guest vocalist

Janis Siegel

vocals
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Janis Siegel (of the vocal group

The Manhattan Transfer

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">The Manhattan Transfer) contributing hypnotic vocalise, in conversation with Schroeder's Mongolian ever buree ('horn-trumpet,' a member of the clarinet family with the same timbre as a basset clarinet, which extends the bass range of the standard clarinet), as well as a lyrical double bass solo from Wind.

Paindestre's "Le soupirail" has an especially catchy melody and rhythm, and is a showcase for Schroeder's soprano saxophone playing. "Merg With Virg" introduces Schroeder's chromatic harmonica—which inevitably recalls the great

Toots Thielemans

harmonica
1922 - 2016

" data-original-title="" title="">Toots Thielemans—while also including a fine piano solo. The harmonica winds up being the centerpiece of the album, featuring in the following two tracks ("Le jour du vin et de la pivoine" and "Pont Neuf") as well.

This band has a great rhythm section, as well as two excellent composers. But in many ways their sound is defined by Dave Schroeder's remarkable facility on numerous, seemingly unrelated woodwinds. On this album he plays several horns, only partially overlapping with the ones on the debut.

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Track Listing

The House That John Built; New Easter Island; Le jour d'apr��s; Le soupirail; Merg With Virg; Le jour du vin et de la pivoine; Pont Neuf; Matamorphose; City Of Light; Thunder Dance; L'��me du temps.

Personnel

Atlantico

band / ensemble / orchestra

S��bastien Paindestre: piano, compositions; Dave Schroeder: chromatic harmonica, Mongolia ever buree, piccolo, bass flute, soprano saxophone, compositions; Martin Wind, acoustic bass; Billy Drummond: drum set; Janis Siegel: vocal (2); Billy Drewes: soprano saxophone (1).

Album information

Title: New Easter Island | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: La Fabrica'son

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