Label: Self produced, 2025
Personnel - Philippe Massé: double bass; Sacha Desjardins: piano; Alexandre Massé: drums; Mohamed Masmoudi: oud (#1,3).
Montreal bassist Philippe Massé offers a relaxing set of music influenced by Middle Eastern traditions as well as Latin and jazz music. His appreciation for artists like Avishai Cohen, Shai Maestro, Dhafer Youssef, and Petros Klampanis is reflected in original compositions filled with warm emotional tones.
Philippe leads his trio—featuring his brother Alexandre Massé on drums and Sasha Desjardins on piano—with a solid foundational anchor and an improvisational spirit. The latter factor is further enriched with the presence by guest oud player Mohamed Masmoudi on two tracks.
Masmoudi brings the poignantly unique flavor of Eastern music to “Fall”, weaving quarter tones into beautiful melodies over a steady 4/4 pulse, and “Le Vent”, which, bearing almost a pop song spirit and harmonic circularity, feels entirely distinct. A tandem passage for piano and oud precedes a short bass soliloquy, and the group channels both exotic and romantic tones alongside hints of blue and melancholy.
“Wav” unfolds with epic contours, marked by insistent rhythmic calls and narrative fluidity. A shift in mood leads to a bass solo over terse, staccato piano chords and percussion, and the piece ends with crystal cymbal washes. “Memories” carries a tango-ish vibe, with Desjardins’ pianism exemplifying the trio’s versatility.
“Am” sounds even bolder with its seven-beat cycles providing a flexible framework for improvisation and recursive patterns, while “From the Moon” radiates a calming vibe, always supported by Alexandre’s impressionistic brushwork.
There are fundamental qualities in each section, orchestrated with distinct harmonies, timbres, and interplay. The group brings a tantalizing array of inspirations to the table, making Le Vent a soothing and evocative listen.
Favorite Tracks:
01 - Fall ► 02 - Wav ► From the Moon