Label: ACT, 2026
Personnel - Emile Parisien: soprano saxophone; Yaron Herman: piano; Linda May Han Oh: bass; Prabhu Edouard: tabla, percussion, voice.
French soprano saxophonist and composer Emile Parisien is an eclectic jazz practitioner with inestimable musical gifts that allow him to explore a whole universe of sound. Parisien brings a glowing selection of tunes composed by himself, pianist and longtime collaborator Yaron Herman, and proficient bassist Linda May Han Oh, alongside two covers. Rounding out the quartet is tabla player and vocalist Prabhu Edouard, who helps establish an organically integrated framework for the leader’s world-fusion aesthetics. This group was formed after a memorable first performance in Paris.
Floating opens with Georges Ivanovitch Gurdjieff and Thomas de Hartmann’s “Asian Songs & Rhythms, No. 40”, a peaceful, spiritual tune that, combining Eastern modal traditions with Western classical sensibilities, slowly unfolds with a ternary feel. Parisien employs his intervallic expertise in vibrant phrasing, while Herman evokes distant, serene landscapes. The other cover on the album is Anouar Brahem’s “Badhra”—the fantastic opening track of his trio album Thimar—which scintillates with sophistication and enchantment.
In the latter, Herman’s clarity of speech and objectivity pair well with the in-and-out lyricism of Parisien, while the duo’s co-written piece, “Portal”, keeps the rhythmic momentum going after a dynamic introduction centered on Edouard, who doubles on tabla and voice. Herman’ piano solo on this one is pure delight. On the other hand, Parisien’s “Bonbon” is filled with excitement and aligned with Middle Eastern traditions.
Herman contributes five compositions of his own: the waltzing ballads “Olive Branch” and “Ruth”, with the latter acquiring a jazzier, Keith Jarrett-esque vibe before morphing into a more percussive passage over which Parisien’s soprano glides effortlessly; the playful and bluesy “Nusrat”; and the stop-and-go flow of “El Toro”, a showcase for Oh’s rhythmic adroitness. Sandwiched between the latter two tracks is the bassist’s “As It Comes And As It Goes”, a moment of reflection and an opportunity to hear her unaccompanied.
According to the bandleader, this is music about peace, poetry, and love, and listeners should be able to feel its emotional appeal as well as the group’s ability to communicate through whatever musical language they choose to mix in. This forward-looking diversity is key, and Parisien’s fusion is not without an airily contemporary touch.
Favorite Tracks:
01 - Asian Songs & Rhythms, No 40 ► 04 - Badhra ► 08 - Nusrat