JEAN-LOUIS MATINIER / KEVIN SEDDIKI - Rivages
ECM 086 4800
Jean-Louis Matinier (accordion); Kevin Seddiki (guitar)
Recorded April 2018
This is the first duo recording from Matinier and Seddiki although the two musicians have been playing together in this format sporadically for a number of years. The affinity that they share and have developed over time is clear to hear in this delightful album that the two musicians describe as "chamber music open to the world". As descriptions go it is as good as any, but doesn't fully embrace the far-reaching range of the music. From 'Les berceaux' composed by Gabriel Faure to a startingly fresh reading of the traditional 'Greensleeves' to original tunes and improvisations, Matinier and Seddiki take us on a wonderfully diverse journey.
Jen-Louis Matinier has a substantial representation on ECM having worked with oud master, Anouar Brahem, clarinettist Louis Sclavis, and pianist François Courtier with whom he has appeared on three outstanding albums, Nostalghia - Song for Tarkovsky, Tarkovsky Quartet and Nuit blanche (credited to the Tarkovsky Quartet); as well as duo recording with Marco Ambrosini on nyckelharpa on the 2014 release Inventio. On the flipside, this is guitarist Seddiki's debut for the imprint. He has studied classical guitar with Pablo Márquez and worked in many transcultural projects, thus fitting in perfectly with Matinier's own musical interests.
What makes this offering from the duo such an attractive proposition is the sheer beauty and variety of the music. Matinier conjures up a staggering array of textures and colours from the accordion, and is superbly complimented by the sound of Seddiki's guitar. Both musicians are adept at switching roles at the drop of a hat providing rhythmic patterns and asides, or spinning out melodic lines that sweep you along. It is hard to resist the lure of the lovely 'La chanson d'Hélène' by Philippe Sarde, Seddiki's 'Après la pluie' or the jointly composed 'Rêverie'.
Should the music become too serene, and to keep things moving there is the rhythmic pull of 'In C', and two freely improvised pieces by the duo; the sombre and reflective 'Miroirs' and the playfully percussive 'Feux follets', along with a delicate and lyrical solo improvisation from Kevin Seddiki with 'Derivando'. This beautiful album closes with the duo's stunning arrangement of Jean-Lous Matinier's 'Sous l'horizon'. A rather unusual and beguiling album that for many will surprise by the depth of playing from the accordion, and once heard and assimilated continues to reveal new delights with each hearing.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
ECM 086 4800
Jean-Louis Matinier (accordion); Kevin Seddiki (guitar)
Recorded April 2018
This is the first duo recording from Matinier and Seddiki although the two musicians have been playing together in this format sporadically for a number of years. The affinity that they share and have developed over time is clear to hear in this delightful album that the two musicians describe as "chamber music open to the world". As descriptions go it is as good as any, but doesn't fully embrace the far-reaching range of the music. From 'Les berceaux' composed by Gabriel Faure to a startingly fresh reading of the traditional 'Greensleeves' to original tunes and improvisations, Matinier and Seddiki take us on a wonderfully diverse journey.
Jen-Louis Matinier has a substantial representation on ECM having worked with oud master, Anouar Brahem, clarinettist Louis Sclavis, and pianist François Courtier with whom he has appeared on three outstanding albums, Nostalghia - Song for Tarkovsky, Tarkovsky Quartet and Nuit blanche (credited to the Tarkovsky Quartet); as well as duo recording with Marco Ambrosini on nyckelharpa on the 2014 release Inventio. On the flipside, this is guitarist Seddiki's debut for the imprint. He has studied classical guitar with Pablo Márquez and worked in many transcultural projects, thus fitting in perfectly with Matinier's own musical interests.
What makes this offering from the duo such an attractive proposition is the sheer beauty and variety of the music. Matinier conjures up a staggering array of textures and colours from the accordion, and is superbly complimented by the sound of Seddiki's guitar. Both musicians are adept at switching roles at the drop of a hat providing rhythmic patterns and asides, or spinning out melodic lines that sweep you along. It is hard to resist the lure of the lovely 'La chanson d'Hélène' by Philippe Sarde, Seddiki's 'Après la pluie' or the jointly composed 'Rêverie'.
Should the music become too serene, and to keep things moving there is the rhythmic pull of 'In C', and two freely improvised pieces by the duo; the sombre and reflective 'Miroirs' and the playfully percussive 'Feux follets', along with a delicate and lyrical solo improvisation from Kevin Seddiki with 'Derivando'. This beautiful album closes with the duo's stunning arrangement of Jean-Lous Matinier's 'Sous l'horizon'. A rather unusual and beguiling album that for many will surprise by the depth of playing from the accordion, and once heard and assimilated continues to reveal new delights with each hearing.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
