Oui

For Pierre De Bethmann's second CD as a leader apart from his duties with the Moutin Reunion Quartet, he again sticks to playing the Fender Rhodes electric piano exclusively. Tenor saxophonist David El Malek is retained, as is drummer Franck Agulhon from De Bethmann's Ilium quintet. Complex melodies and time structures continue to signify their collective sound. For Oui, the ensemble is expanded to include second (alto) saxophonist Stéphane Guillaume and guitarist Michael Felberbaum. The difference maker is vocalist Jeanne Added, who sings no lyrics whatsoever, but employs scat, hums, oohs, and ahhs on every track. While an attractive and becoming vocalist, this unfortunately detracts from the overall variety of the project. Still, much startling original music is offered, such as the opener, "Shema," with its beefy, chunky melody in a whopping 14/8 time signature with sections going from animated to calming, back and forth, as well as the 5/4-driven, at times rockish beat over dueling saxophones of "Exo." There is a reflection of the modalities the mid-period Mahavishnu Orchestra utilized, as on the stairstepping "Singulier" contrasting Added's siren song, and the heavy 7/8 "Altération," which most readily approaches the '70s fusion movement. The most straight-ahead jazz tune, "Effet Tatillon," is a snaky, slinky line that weaves though road forks and U-turns. "Oui" is the most intricate and involved track, with De Bethmann and Felberbaum using wah-wah pedals, the two saxes reaching for upper levels, and the vocals as an afterthought. Added is most prevalent and expressive in tandem with El Malek during "Air Courbe," an ode to sky flight, and the vocal-dominant ballad "La Lentuer." Simply for variety's sake, it would be nice if she had sung a song. De Bethmann, clearly an extraordinary talent, does things his way, and one hopes he sticks to the Rhodes, perhaps exploring extensions of Herbie Hancock's Mwandishi or early Chick Corea and beyond. ~ Michael G. Nastos|