FAPY LAFERTIN NEW QUARTET - Atlântico
Fremeaux FA8576
Fapy Lafertin (guitar, guitarra Portuguaise); Alexandre Tripodi (violin); Cédric Raymond (double bass); Renaud Dardenne (guitar)
Celebrated as the natural heir to Django Reinhardt, the Belgian born gypsy guitarist, Fapy Lafertin, may wear the crown with pride but is certainly not constrained by it, or does he let it define him. Over a long career he has remained at the forefront of his chosen style of music, but has a penchant for always looking forward, not merely content to replicate but to develop his playing and the music so that it remains its vibrancy and heritage, yet sounds of the moment. This trait is, I'm happy to say very much to the fore and joyous and enjoyable recording with his New Quartet.
The material drawn upon is wide and varied, and if at times we are reminded of Lafertin's roots in the playing of Reinhardt and the Quintette du Hot Club de France this only serves to remind us of the heritage of his chosen idiom as the guitarist quickly whisks us away into his world where modern meets traditional in a quietly flamboyant programme. There is no technical virtuosity rudely on display, just a virtuoso performance from all four musicians, and an intense focus on each other and the songs.
From the jazz canon there are swinging renditions of Cole Porter's 'It's Alright With Me' and an exuberant 'My Romance' from the pens of Rodger and Hart that puts a fresh spin on both of these familiar tunes, but it the less familiar, for me, that bring the most to the table. The opening 'Torontoi emlek' took me completely surprise with the delicate melody, interplay between the two guitars and the gently lilting playing from Alexandre Tripodi on violin towards the end of the piece. This is immediately followed by 'La belle vie' by Sasha Distel and sounds a completely logical and natural progression.
The members of the New Quartet also turn in some fine compositions of their own. The somewhat ambiguous introduction to 'The Baltic' written by bassist, Cédric Raymond, leads into a beautiful melody that is given maximum expression by Tripodi and also has a fine solo from Raymond. It is also the partnership of Tripodi and Raymond that co-wrote the exquisite 'Fantasie en sol' a beautifully understated piece that gently unfurls to reveal a delicacy and lyricism that is quite magical. Not to be outdone, the leader also brings several of his own pieces to the set in the all too brief and ebulliently executed 'Cinzano', and the tender 'Plachterida' before bring the album to a close with the gently swinging 'Carnation'.
Altogether this is a concentrated and restained album that brings to gether the past and the present in most delightful manner. If you are seeking the unashamedly flashy displays of guitar pyrotechnics then you are looking in the wrong place, however if you are looking for some fine compoistions played with revereance and respect by four musicians who are listening intently to each other then you will find much to enjoy.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
Fremeaux FA8576
Fapy Lafertin (guitar, guitarra Portuguaise); Alexandre Tripodi (violin); Cédric Raymond (double bass); Renaud Dardenne (guitar)
Celebrated as the natural heir to Django Reinhardt, the Belgian born gypsy guitarist, Fapy Lafertin, may wear the crown with pride but is certainly not constrained by it, or does he let it define him. Over a long career he has remained at the forefront of his chosen style of music, but has a penchant for always looking forward, not merely content to replicate but to develop his playing and the music so that it remains its vibrancy and heritage, yet sounds of the moment. This trait is, I'm happy to say very much to the fore and joyous and enjoyable recording with his New Quartet.
The material drawn upon is wide and varied, and if at times we are reminded of Lafertin's roots in the playing of Reinhardt and the Quintette du Hot Club de France this only serves to remind us of the heritage of his chosen idiom as the guitarist quickly whisks us away into his world where modern meets traditional in a quietly flamboyant programme. There is no technical virtuosity rudely on display, just a virtuoso performance from all four musicians, and an intense focus on each other and the songs.
From the jazz canon there are swinging renditions of Cole Porter's 'It's Alright With Me' and an exuberant 'My Romance' from the pens of Rodger and Hart that puts a fresh spin on both of these familiar tunes, but it the less familiar, for me, that bring the most to the table. The opening 'Torontoi emlek' took me completely surprise with the delicate melody, interplay between the two guitars and the gently lilting playing from Alexandre Tripodi on violin towards the end of the piece. This is immediately followed by 'La belle vie' by Sasha Distel and sounds a completely logical and natural progression.
The members of the New Quartet also turn in some fine compositions of their own. The somewhat ambiguous introduction to 'The Baltic' written by bassist, Cédric Raymond, leads into a beautiful melody that is given maximum expression by Tripodi and also has a fine solo from Raymond. It is also the partnership of Tripodi and Raymond that co-wrote the exquisite 'Fantasie en sol' a beautifully understated piece that gently unfurls to reveal a delicacy and lyricism that is quite magical. Not to be outdone, the leader also brings several of his own pieces to the set in the all too brief and ebulliently executed 'Cinzano', and the tender 'Plachterida' before bring the album to a close with the gently swinging 'Carnation'.
Altogether this is a concentrated and restained album that brings to gether the past and the present in most delightful manner. If you are seeking the unashamedly flashy displays of guitar pyrotechnics then you are looking in the wrong place, however if you are looking for some fine compoistions played with revereance and respect by four musicians who are listening intently to each other then you will find much to enjoy.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
