Sud [Digipak]

This terrific trio brings to the table a quiet energy that smolders slowly as a fine, aromatic cigar. Acoustic guitarist Luc is the fuse, bassist Jafet the smoke, and drummer Ceccarelli the controlled fire. They are electrifying without using electronics. Only a small handful of standards are included. A nicely re-arranged 5/4 take on "A Night in Tunisia" cuts close to flamenco in its intriguing guitar reharmonizations, "There Will Never Be Another You" is a fast bopper, "Moon River" sports a pristine start and bossa body, while the pop tune "This Guy's in Love With You" is modified with a kinetic 4/4 Afro-Cuban groove. In fact, the key for many of the originals is their solid groove. 6/8 informs "Jade Et Melody" or the quicker "Chez Laurette," an easy blues shuffle walk to waltz shifts back and forth on "Mojo," while "Roots 6406" is more of a soul groove shuffle. A short drum solo, "Ouverture," precedes the 5/4 "Ameskeri" with contrasting sounds delicate and shrunken by Luc's guitars, and Ceccarelli goes it alone for four minutes on the pulsing "Requiem." There's also the balladic to swinging "Little Man, You've Had a Busy Day" and the tender samba "Bella Vista." The test of timelessness in the worth of music is in a repeated listening process. This fine recording delivers that constant joy and consistent freshness, time after time. Recommended. ~ Michael G. Nastos|