Label: Self released, 2026
Personnel - Simon Moullier: vibraphone; Lex Korten; piano; Rick Rosato: bass; Jonkuk Kim: drums; Keita Ogawa: percussion (#2,5).
Dexterous 32-year-old vibraphonist and composer Simon Moullier offers new revelations with a keen sense of balance on Ceiba, his sixth album as a leader. Drawing from a broad musical vocabulary, the France-born, New York-based artist takes credit for all of the album’s vitally engaging compositions, delivering music that feels both fresh and firmly grounded. Inspired by the ceiba tree—a symbol connecting time, place, and people—the album benefits greatly from the extensive live work Moullier has done with his working quartet, featuring pianist Lex Korten, bassist Rick Rosato, and South Korean drummer Jonkuk Kim. Japanese percussionist Keita Ogawa appears as a guest on two tracks.
The enveloping title track, inspired by a Mozambican drum groove, opens the album with modal sophistication, occupying a space somewhere between Bobby Hutcherson and Kenny Garrett. Both Moullier and Korten display penetrating lyricism in a piece whose complex thematic material sounds remarkably effortless and smooth on the ear. “Lotus Pt. 2” extends the ideas introduced in the first installment on Elements of Light (2024), unfolding as a soothing ballad propelled by brushwork and crowned by a gorgeous vamp-driven finale.
“Fuji”, inspired by the iconic Japanese mountain, feels as though post-bop and Latin music have merged, recalling the emotionally charged fusion side of Pat Metheny. The piece is distinguished by advanced improvisational language and Ogawa’s colorful percussion, which also enhances the Brazilian-flavored “Baião”, a harmonically rich composition whose melodic contours evoke both Djavan and Toninho Horta. Pushing in a slightly different direction, Moullier also cites Djavan as an influence on “Apollo”, where a triumphant six-beat groove takes command.
“Iron Giant” is another modal tour de force, built around a bright and inquisitive theme, with Rosato and Kim laying the ideal foundation for the sure-footed improvisations that follow. “Ancient Ones” radiates post-bop brilliance in a waltzing meter, shifting the music’s weight without increasing its density. Written in Peru and inspired by the Andes, it balances elegance with momentum. “Mr. Hutcherson” is an uptempo post-bop romp driven by Rosato’s snappy walking bass and Kim’s effervescent drumming, serving as an unmistakable homage to the late vibist Bobby Hutcherson.
With a highly percussive attack, Moullier seems to sing through his instrument, functioning both as a commanding improvisational force and as the glue that gives the ensemble its distinctive identity. A refined melodicist with an exceptionally fluid musical language, he continues to deepen and expand his artistic voice.
Favorite Tracks:
01 - Ceiba ► 02 - Fuji ► 03 - Iron Giant