Record Reviews

H3B ~ H3B ABALONE 005 (Barcode: 3760199740046) ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz Recorded: 2010 Released: 2010 This is the debut album by the H3BFind albums by this artist quartet, led by French pianist / composer Denis BadaultFind albums by this artist and including British trumpeter Tom ArthursFind albums by this artist and French violinist Regis HubyFind albums by this artist and bassist Sebastien BoisseauFind albums by this artist. Together they perform six original compositions, all by Badault, one of which is a two-part mini-suite. > The music of H3B is a beautiful example of European Jazz, which combines elements of Contemporary Classical music, Jazz, Free improvisation and other typical European musical forms like cabaret, burlesque, circus music and many others. > Badault manages to create incredible sound vistas, which are superbly executed by the quartet, which often sounds like a small orchestra in spite of its real size. The individual virtuosity of these four musicians and their incredible cooperation and mutual respect is truly extraordinary, and consequently so is the music. > I received the second album by the quartet ("Songs, No Songs"), recorded a couple of years later, a couple of months before I received this debut album. Reading the review of that album I see that everything applies in full here as well, proving not only the quality of the quartet but also its consistency and vision. There is so much music, elegance and aesthetics on this album, that it could be spread over several albums and still make them all extraordinary. > I hope this quartet will record again, hopefully soon, as two albums, as excellent as they are, are definitely not enough to satisfy the thirst for music of such scope and quality. Thank you for this music Messieurs!

Updated: 18/11/2016Posted: 18/11/2016

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

H3B ~ SONGS, NO SONGS ABALONE 013 (Barcode: 3760199740121) ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2013 This is the second album by the brilliant H3BFind albums by this artist quartet, which comprises of French pianist Denis BadaultFind albums by this artist, British trumpeter Tom ArthursFind albums by this artist, French violinist Regis HubyFind albums by this artist and bassist Sebastien BoisseauFind albums by this artist. The album presents thirteen relatively short original compositions, eight of which were composed by Badault and have distinct melodic motifs (Songs), while the remaining five are improvised by the quartet (No Songs). The music is a stunning display of modern European Jazz, which amalgamates European Classical Chamber music, Jazz tradition and Improvised Music techniques. From start to finish, every second of this music is an absolute bliss of paralyzing intensity and staggering depth. All four members of the ensemble are obvious virtuosi. Arthurs contributes most of the melodic content, with his deeply lyrical phrasing and crystal clear sound. Badault provides the harmonic layers beyond the trumpet solos and Huby adds his orchestration to expand the overall sound. Boisseau brilliantly keeps the rhythmic undercurrents flowing with vigor and expert sensitivity, doing such a splendid job that the obvious lack of percussion is completely forgotten. Over time countless people have asked me for a definition of European Jazz and its characteristics. Listening to this album holds absolutely all the answers: the European aesthetics, the music tradition both Classical and Folklore, the elegance and the sophistication, which creates layer upon layer of ornamentation above the basic Jazz tradition, with an outcome, which is infinitely more satisfying. Absurdly enough, despite its complexity and intricacy this music remains beautifully melodic and coherent, even at its apex of free improvised moments. I realize that only a handful of music listeners will ever hold this album in their hands, which of course is tragic as far as our Culture is concerned, but those touched by it will hopefully remain mentally altered for lifetime. If it was up to, me I´d have a copy of this album in every music academy around the world, Jazz Department or not, to educate our future musicians where the directions should be pointing to. Alas, this is of course but a dream…

Updated: 12/09/2016Posted: 12/09/2016

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend