Sylvain Rifflet - Perpetual Motion (A Celebration of Moondog) (2014) [Hi-Res]

A prominent activist on the French new music scene, the saxophonist Sylvain Rifflet has a musical culture that goes far beyond jazz, taking in experimental rock and contemporary music of all sorts. In this daring multimedia project, conceived in collaboration with fellow saxophonist Jon Irabagon, Rifflet has breathed new life into the art and spirit of Moondog, the iconic blind American composer and revered pioneer on the jazz avant-garde/minimalist scene who rubbed shoulders with the great and the good, inspiring the likes of Charlie Parker, Allen Ginsberg and Philip Glass. This subtle reworking, a blueprint for creative reinvention, is available here in both audio and video versions.

“We want to re-construct Moondog’s music it the way jazz musicians re-invent standards, and decided to adapt the music for the two of us, Jon playing mostly alto saxophone, me clarinet and tenor saxophone, plus members of my band Alphabet.“ (Sylvain Rifflet)

“Perpetual Motion” is Sylvain and Jon’s first common project, even though they have known each other for almost twenty years now (from the time when they played in an all-star college band of one of the major amusement parks of the US).

Developing separated brilliant careers in France and US, they have kept in touch, sharing musical thoughts and thinking of a way to work together one day.

Discovering they were both sharing a very special interest in Moondog’s work, they have decided to pursue a project inspired by his remarkable musical output, with its jazz, folk and street sound influences, across musical genres.

Sylvain Rifflet, tenor saxophone, clarinet, electronics
Jon Irabagon, alto and tenor saxophones
Benjamin Flament, percussion
Joce Mienniel, flutes and MS20
Eve Risser, piano, electric harpsichord

Tracklist:
01. Jon Irabagon - Oasis (6:02)
02. Jon Irabagon - Heat On The Heather (4:39)
03. Jon Irabagon - Bird's Lament (3:07)
04. Jon Irabagon - Black Hole (7:04)
05. Jon Irabagon - From One To Nine (3:41)
06. Jon Irabagon - Round Paris (1:42)
07. Jon Irabagon - Aska Me (2:19)
08. Jon Irabagon - Fleur De Lis (6:21)
09. Jon Irabagon - Maybe (6:22)
10. Jon Irabagon - Nero's Expedition (1:34)
11. Jon Irabagon - My Tiny Butterfly (3:53)
12. Jon Irabagon - From The Jazz Book No. 2 (3:38)
13. Jon Irabagon - From The Jazz Book Extended (3:06)
14. Jon Irabagon - Santa Fé (3:16)