With subtlety, delicacy and finesse, Laurent Bonnot puts the electric bass at the heart of his musical discourse. It replaces the so-called “harmonic” instruments and gives the project a resolutely atypical aesthetic.
But it is especially the repertoire of Songs for Louisa that is innovative. The project could be defined as a transposition in music of the literary movement OuLiPo (Raymond Queneau, Georges Perec…). There is here an asserted will to push back the limits of jazz improvisation. The complex metrics change every measure, and the incessant modulations, lead the listener to no longer find his way around any predefined stylistic knowledge without getting lost.
After “Songs for Oscar” released in 2020, we are delighted to present “Songs for Louisa“. The composer and bass player Laurent Bonnot presents a new repertoire, but this time accompanied by saxophonists Christophe Monniot, Ricardo Izquierdo, and drummer Eric Échampard. Let us present the OuLiPo Quartet !
With subtlety, delicacy and finesse, Laurent Bonnot puts the electric bass at the heart of his musical discourse. It replaces the so-called “harmonic” instruments and gives the project a resolutely atypical aesthetic.
But it is especially the repertoire of Songs for Louisa that is innovative. The project could be defined as a transposition in music of the literary movement OuLiPo* (Raymond Queneau, Georges Perec…). There is here an asserted will to push back the limits of jazz improvisation. The complex metrics change every measure, and the incessant modulations, lead the listener to no longer find his way around any predefined stylistic knowledge without getting lost. The melody then frees itself from the division imposed by the arrangement.
To interpret his repertoire, to enhance it and to share it, Laurent Bonnot calls upon the drummer Eric Échampard and the saxophonists Christophe Monniot and Ricardo Izquierdo.
The very melodic and sweet theme entitled “Song for Louisa” starts the album. The title is built on a rock rhythm. It sets the tone and proposes from the outset open-mindedness, simplicity, and relief. This composition is offered to Louisa, the Laurent Bonnot’s daughter.
Family is very important to Laurent Bonnot. So, the ballad “Ode to my Boy“, as its name indicates, is dedicated to Oscar, the composer’s son. It is a journey through tonalities and even creates an ambiguous Major/Minor – Joyful/Melancholic atmosphere.
“A Treasure Map I Lost” leaves room for dialogue between the saxophones and then for collective improvisation. It’s the idea of a dance that lasts like a trance that turns back on itself. The theme is influenced by Wayne Shorter and in particular E.S.P. Finally, the spirit of the waltz is always there, while on “Funny Gait” tango is inferred with acoustic sounds dominating.
“The Fast Trap” is, according to Laurent Bonnot, a wink to American rock and more particularly to Rage Against The Machine or to the sharp riffs of Jimi Hendrix. In any case, the choice of the bass solo aesthetic goes in this direction: rockin’ whammy/vibrato. Everything is limpid and combines, assembles, and juggles sounds.
In the ballad “Velvet Break Up“, space is king. The tempo seems to be completely stretched as if the changes of harmonies were improvised. The second part (viola solo) evokes the compositions of Erik Satie.
And to end the album with an exception, discover “Wooden Planets“. This is the only composition by Laurent Bonnot where the “groove” is not subject to incessant metric changes: it is written with a Latin groove, as if Laurent Bonnot wanted to invite us, as he knows how to do, to discover another world without end.
These 8 compositions present the astonishing OuLiPo Quartet: a project whose main goal is to force the listener to lose their grip on classic “groove” forms. The experienced musician, the neophyte or the music lover can’t get attached to the metric or try to analyze it. One must just let oneself be carried along for the trip on the magic ship!
*The literary movement OuLiPo (OUvroir de LIttérature POtentielle) was founded in 1960 by the mathematician François Le Lionnais and the writer Raymond Queneau. It consists of a methodical attempt and systematic exploration of the potentialities of literature, or more generally of the language.
Song For Louisa
Ode To My Boy
A Treasure Map I Lost
My Little Sweet
Funny Gait
The Fast Trap
Velvet Break Up
Wooden Planets
Compositions by Laurent Bonnot
Published by Éditions Amoc
Laurent Bonnot (bass)
Christophe Monniot (alto saxophone)
Ricardo Izquierdo (tenor saxophone)
Eric Échampard (drums)
Recorded, mixed and masterised by Rémi Bourcereau | Studio La Meunuiserie
Photographs : Edith Gaudy
Graphic Design : Lucas Ranoux
Production : Engilmusic
With support : SACEM, SCPP
Release date : 07-04-2023