Pascal Ohse, trumpet – Memento (Warner Bros.)

by | Jun 2, 2005 | Jazz CD Reviews | 0 comments

Pascal Ohse: Soel – Memento; Warner Bros. 48692-2 CD ****: Pascal Ohse, trumpeter and composer on this solo effort may best be
known for his work with St Germain where he blended elements of classic jazz, electronica with various strains of dub, house and world
beat.  Taking the West African name Soel to honor his Guinean
roots, Ohse spent hours upon hours listening to vintage American soul
and jazz.  The process spanned six years and during this time
“[he] began experimenting with introducing contemporary elements into
the music [he] had been absorbing for so long.”  He was looking
for “a way to update it and, in the process, make it more accessible to
today’s audiences.  The trick was to maintain the integrity of the
source material while still giving it a contemporary flair.”

This disc is chock full of groovy jazz guitar, sax, flute, bass,
percussion, trumpet, trombone, and keyboards.  It’s a killer, hip
blend that is a true tribute to the music of Africa and the “black
music of America.”  Unlike some of the reviews where I feel the
need to grab the remote and push skip, with this disc it was essential
to listen straight through—it’s a real experience!  Track three
has a spoken words over the music with a slick backbeat that
transitions into a female vocal and horn and guitar.  It is one of
the many tremendous tracks on this disc.  This is a great
record–period.  If you like breakbeat, alternative jazz, and
modern music with a retro feel, then you’ll love it.

TrackList:
included are:  Le Vicomte; Shining Pains; My Singing soul;
Prelude; Black Women; The Earth Mother; To This World; The Way U R; We Have Died Already.-Brian Bloom
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