Melodolodie

Albumbeschreibung

French guitarist Jerome Barde has the goods to become a major force in modern jazz. Moreover, the liners to Melodolodie state that he has created and patented a guitar simply known as the "Bardophone, although he wasn't able to use that on this release." Here, he performs on a strikingly resonant axe made by the French luther Frank Cheval. Barde's energized performances are crafted with a guitar that possesses somewhat of a stereo sound. This is a rapidly paced set, awash with jaunty swing grooves, reinforced by a top-notch bass/piano/drums trio, and also featuring a percussionist on two tracks. Barde's fluent lines and complex chord voicings instill a sense of perpetual motion. The band effortlessly glides thru odd-metered Latin pulses and perky shuffle grooves, to complement a few stylistic and perhaps subliminal nods to Django and Strauss along the way. The music often gravitates to soaring peaks amid vibrant rhythms and unwieldy twists and turns. As a whole, the production is effervescent, powerful, and undeniably focused. No doubt, Barde is a promising composer and one heck of an improviser. Overall, this is an invigorating affair. Zealously recommended.
© Glenn Astarita /TiVo