Alban Darche - Le gros cube #2 (2021) [Official Digital Download]

Amongst all the machine-linked metaphors used in the history of large groups in jazz, that of Alban Darche’s Gros Cube (literally “Big Bike”) is unusual, but absolutely perfect for describing this brand new band. It can purr, snore, or roar in turn; it can even gleam and sparkle, but it never goes over the top. The impression it leaves is less one of a Formula 1 engine than that of a gleeful ballet of bikers out for a good time, swept along in a masterly choreography. Alban Darche succeeds in inventing the most improbable combinations of instruments out of the strictly classical instrumentation of the typical Big Band; he’s constantly putting sections together then dismounting them, as if it were all a musical meccano and he’s a child “screwing” the new sounds together with his particularly gifted hands.

Each of the 17 members of the band – all soloists – seems galvanised into action by a strong sense of liberty, thanks to the roaring breakaways the coherent and spectacular orchestration allows them. As for the collective harmonised parts, they all show an outstanding “vocal” quality that is virtually unknown in current instrumental jazz. G.ARNAUD

TRACKLIST

01. Alban Darche - A la bougie
02. Alban Darche - Ping-pong
03. Alban Darche - Arcane XV - le diable
04. Alban Darche - Arcane XVIIII - le soleil
05. Alban Darche - Le mort joyeux
06. Alban Darche - Beauty and sadness II
07. Alban Darche - Le chemin (vertueux)
08. Alban Darche - L'oiseau qu'on voit chante sa plainte
09. Alban Darche - Arcane XXII - le mat
10. Alban Darche - Le cercle



Thanks to the Original customer.