Adrien Chicot - Sound of Eymet (2023) Hi Res

French pianist and composer Adrien Chicot continues to impress on his latest release “Sound of Eymet”, an excellent quintet recording. Following on from his well-received previous album “Babyland” – also a 5-piece session – he successfully comes up with the goods again, producing an album of adventurous contemporary jazz, in his own captivating and distinctive style.

There’s a quirkiness and curiosity to Chicot’s music that I really like. The pianist embroiders, polishes and shapes his compositions in a way that allows for real freedom of improvisation, not just for himself, but also for the musicians he performs with. Joining him on “Sound of Eymet” are Julian Alour on trumpet, Ricardo Izquierdo on saxophone, Sylvain Romano on double bass, and Antoine Paganotti on drums. All the players seem to share warmth and thoughtfulness throughout the album, with a dynamic edge that always feels bold and courageous.

The full-speed-ahead opener “Chic o’ clock” delivers on every level, its effervescence relating suitably to the outpourings of a joyful reunion for the group who grew up enlightened by the biggest names in hardbop. The skilfully composed “Room Two” utilises the front line sax and trumpet particularly well, allowing for some luscious soloing. “If the white keys were black” (great title!) is slower in tempo, allowing the band to breathe and slowly build with harmonious rapport. The floating, timeless quality of “Rainy Day” is a slow-burner, daring the listener to reflect a little, take some time and enjoy the subtle colours and textures. The nuanced oddities of “Searching the sound” are quite beguiling in nature, showcasing Chicot’s exploratory compositional talents once more. “Boubou’s bubbles” has a more traditional feel to it, sounding rather exquisite and reminding me of a reflective tune I can’t quite put my finger on… The fiery “Fiesta y siesta” brings a few South American vibes into the mix, with some fluid soloing and collective invention from the quintet as a whole. “Die with the secret of the hidden treasure” draws on Chicot’s European influences in a fascinating way. The closing piece, “Funk for Slem”, is straight-ahead funk, city cool and vivacious.

Another splendid album from Adrien Chicot, “Sound of Eymet” proves once more that an original voice like his really can blend old and new jazz influences to create a very satisfying sound.