Label: Nonesuch Records, 2023
Personnel - Cecile McLorin Salvant: vocals, synth (#7,9,13); Sullivan Fortner: piano (#3,5,6,11,12); syhths (#6,10), kalimba (#12), vocals (#12), celeste (#14); Aaron Diehl: piano (#1,2); Paul Sikivie: bass (#1,2); Kyle Poole: drums (#1,2); Lawrence Leathers: drums (#2); Godwin Louis: alto saxophone (#3,5), vocals (#12); Luques Curtis: bass (#3,5,12,14); Weedie Braimah, percussion (3,4,5,12,14); Obed Calvaire: drums (#3,5,12); Daniel Swenberg: nylon string guitar (#8).
Lauded singer Cecile McLorin Salvant combines elements of French mythology, Haitian voudou, and apocrypha in this European folkloric tale called Mélusine. She sings in French on most of the tracks, but you can also hear Haitian kréyol, Occitan, and English.
Composed of five originals and nine songs whose origins range from the 12th century to the mid 1980’s, the album challenges norms but also plays off safely within conventions. The French chanson takes both hauntingly sad and dramatic proportions in the opener, Léo Ferré’s “Est-ce ainsi que les hommes vivent?”, as well as on Veronique Sanson’s 1985 pop hit “Le Temps Est Assassin”.
A dominant Afro-Latin tinge permeates “Doudou” and “Wedo”. Both came from the pen of Salvant who, on the latter piece, offers an upbeat African chant over a modernistic synth tapestry that she plays herself. In Charles Trenet’s easy-listening “La Route Enchantée” we bump into a cabaret-driven enchantment that thrives under the rhythmic propulsion of pianist Aaron Diehl, bassist Paul Sikivie, and a pair of drummers: Kyle Poole and Lawrence Leathers.
The title track is partly sung in English, finding its sagacious balance with the help of Daniel Swenberg’s acoustic guitar, whereas Michael Lambert’s “D'un feu secret”, a 17th-century courtly song, has its lyricism stirred by Sullivan Fortner's odd synth accompaniment.
We all know what Salvant is capable of. Her magnificently appealing voice is paired with an unblemished technique and often novel ideas. However, I must confess that, even if the results are consolidated, it’s been hard for me to return to this recording. Stylistically, it puts me a bit off, and is far from the greatness of Ghost Song (Nonesuch, 2022), a modern vocal jazz masterpiece.
Favorite Tracks:
02 - La Route Enchantée ► 05 - Doudou ► 08 - Melusine