Souffles is remarkably diverse in terms of instrumentation and compositional know how that brings something new and unexpected to each of these meetings of minds.
Les Couleurs du Son CDS 238933CD
Naïssam Jalal (flute, vocal); Archie Shepp (tenor sax, vocal); Emile Parisien (soprano sax); Irving Acao (soprano sax); Louis Sclavis (bass clarinet); Robinson Khoury (trombone); Sylvain Rifflet (tenor sax); Thomas de Pourquery (alto sax); Yom (clarinet)
Recorded November 2021 & January 2025
Both an intriguing concept and absorbing listen, this is an album with a firm thread and thematic idea throughout, and if the idea of a series of duets for flute and other assorted wind instruments seems rather flimsy idea on which to base an entire album then think again.
This is the tenth release from Parisian born flautist Naïssam Jalal and brings to the fore her strengths as an instrumentalist, improviser and composer. Born of the thought that she may not get to meet and play with all of the musicians on this recording who have all influenced her with their musical vision, Jalal set about doing just that.
Each of the eight pieces or ‘Souffle’ feature Jalal’s flute and voice in a series of compositions written with each individual musical partner in mind. The skill in the writing is that there is enough to make each composition interesting to play, yet with enough space for improvisation and to allow the music to flow organically.
A quick glance at the cast list and one is inevitably drawn to the duets with Louis Sclavis and Archie Shepp, two undisputed on the international stage. Indeed, the bass clarinet of Sclavis on ‘Souffle #7’ features a wonderful opening statement from the clarinettist leading in a unison passage displaying the contrasting sonorities of the two instruments. Unsurprisingly, the duet with Archie Shepp on ‘Souffle #1’ (that closes the album) is the most powerful and affecting performance with Shepp’s gruff tone on tenor saxophone eliciting some impassioned responses from the flautist in addition to the engaging vocal duet within the composition.
However, let it be said that Sclavis and Shepp steal the limelight as the album yields many more delights. The opening ‘Souffle #5’ featuring altoist Thomas de Pourquery builds the tension from a delightful opening melody stated by Jalal that evolves through carefully crafted lines that incorporate vocalised tones from both alto and flute before easing into a lovely unison passage to close.
Two soprano saxophonists in Emile Parisien and Irving Acao bring distinctly different approaches in their contributions with Parisien’s putting the more satisfying of the with a strong opening theme in ‘Souffle #9’ and playful interplay with the flute compared to Acao’s more subservient presence and dialogue with Jalal.
The woody tones of Yom’s lower register clarinet and controlled vibrato in the upper register combine marvellously with both Jalal’s flute and wordless vocals and the only non-reed instrument featured in the trombone of Robinson Khoury bring a fresh sound a texture to proceedings with balancing the volume and timbre of his instrument superbly alongside the quieter flute.
Something a little different from Jalal’s previous releases but no less satisfying, Souffles is remarkably diverse in terms of instrumentation and compositional know how that brings something new and unexpected to each of these meetings of minds.
