Contemplative sound journey

Together with the bassist, drummers often form the rhythm section of a band and thus its foundation. From the drummer and composer Marcol Savoy's point of view, however, things can be quite different: the musician, who trained at the Haute Ecole de Jazz de Lausanne and the Lausanne Conservatory, likes to be at the center of the sound and to constantly integrate new elements into his playing with the jazz drums. For his new album Improspections he has teamed up with French pianist Alfio Origlio, who is characterized, among other things, by incorporating chanson characteristics into his jazzy playing. As can be gathered from the cover of the album, the 17 tracks are all improvisations. In keeping with the duo's background, the pieces are not only influenced by jazz, but also by world music and classical music. Together, the two embark on a journey into a contemplative world of sound, with a particular focus on resonance and silence. None of the compositions reaches 4 minutes, some even remain under 120 seconds, which makes them seem like snapshots.

While the music in Songes cautiously groping through an unknown dream world, the subsequent Nuits not only more elegiac, but also increasingly self-assured. You can literally feel the dialog between drums and piano gaining momentum, deepening and at times intensifying and finally culminating in pieces such as the subtly performed Différé or the increasingly rumbling Sables flows. What is particularly enjoyable to listen to is the continuous development process of the music, which never rests on its laurels and always remains curious. This results in ever new moods and shades, sometimes meditative, sometimes buzzing. Conclusion: If you are looking for Improspections will be rewarded with almost forty minutes of nuanced musical artistry.

Improvisations. Marcol Savoy, drums; Alfio Origlio, piano.marcolsavoy.com