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Stephane Galland & The Rhythm Hunters: Stephane Galland & The Rhythm Hunters
ByFrom the initial moments of the album's opener, "Morpheus," listeners are transported into a realm where the pulse of the percussion reigns supreme. Stephane Galland, the maestro behind the drum kit, leads the charge with a prowess that borders on the supernatural. His beats are the heartbeat of the ensemble, driving the music forward with an infectious energy that is impossible to resist.
But make no mistakeThe Rhythm Hunters are far more than just a one-man show. Each member brings their unique flavor to the mix. From the soulful wails of the horns to the hypnotic melodies of the keys, every instrument has its moment to shine, creating a rich mosaic of sound that is as complex as it is captivating.
Stéphane Galland's compositions are not mere tunes; they are ecosystems. Each musician contributes to the delicate balance, their instruments like rare fauna. The saxophones weave narratives, the piano sketches landscapes, and the bass anchors us. And at the heart of it all, Galland's drumsboth shaman and scientistguide us through this rhythmic wilderness.
The band navigates through complex time signatures with the greatest of ease via off-centered cadences, expeditiously rendered unison choruses and tiny, big band-like multihued arrangements. "Positivv" starts with festive handclaps, followed by pianist Wajdi Riahi's Bill Evans-like piano solo atop her bandmates' budding intensity topped off with smooth horns and a forward-looking sense of momentum. The ensemble inserts Latin grooves into the mix, as saxophonist Sylvain Debaisieux stretches out and circumnavigates the primary theme. Then" Ipseity" launches with popping notes, Louise Van Den Heuvel 's corpulent bass lines, and the leader's punishing rolls and cymbals hits.
"Artemis" features swirling horns and the pianist's warm solo, tinted with a probing gait amid her rolling harmonics and fleet-fingered single notes, abetted with the hornists' punchy choruses. Hence, Stéphane Galland & The Rhythm Hunters are more than musicians; they are stewards of a rhythmic wilderness, inviting us to dance, dream, and discover.
Track Listing
Morpheus; The Lindy Effect; Positivv; Ipseity; Artemis; Transe Culture
Personnel
Stéphane Galland
drumsSylvain Debaisieux
saxophone, altoWajdi Riahi
pianoShoko Igarashi
saxophone, tenorPierre-Antoine Savoyat
trumpetLouise Van Del Heuvel
bass, electricAdditional Instrumentation
Pierre - Antoine Savoyat: flugelhorn (5,6).
Album information
Title: Stephane Galland & The Rhythm Hunters | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Challenge Records
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Stephane Galland & The Rhythm Hunters
Album Review
Glenn Astarita
Challenge Records
Stéphane Galland
Wajdi Riahi
Bill Evans
Sylvain Debaisieux
Louise Van Den Heuvel