Live at Jazz Cava by Oriol Roca Trio & Lynn Cassiers

https://underpool.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-jazz-cava

Genre: Avant-Garde Jazz

Rating: Very Highly Recommended

released February 11, 2023

Belgian jazz vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and master of electronics, Lynn Cassiers, makes avant garde singing emotionally relatable on this exceptional album. At times, there’s a scented candle lava lamp vibe which might sound like I’m implying there’s a touch of the cliche in the presentation but there’s not. I mean this in the best sense. It’s ethereal, dreamy, and romantic. And very human and comforting as well. I like to make comparisons to give my readers a quick idea of what they’re in for should they check it out but I don’t have any that’s not likely to give the wrong impression. She doesn’t go out of her way to be excessively abstract but it’s still intensely unique but it also has a very effective lounge quality.

And her band, and I’m willing to say that because vocalists have bands not vice versa, her band is so incredibly outstanding. Even her electronic accompaniment with her own voice is stellar and compliments the vibe. On all counts, it feels like she’s leading the band and boy oh boy are they quick on their toes putting forth unbelievable accompaniment. Sometimes bassist, Manolo Cabras, puts forth some initial landscape but Cassiers explores it at her own pace and pleasure and with extraordinary and pleasing confidence.

Giovanni Di Domenico’s piano playing is heavily showcased on the lucious Duke Ellington inspired I Should Be Going but then the song takes a wild left turn into the avant garde and he comes out of it sounding something like Keith Jarrett. But he also plays in an impressionistic manner that channels Debussy. This is especially true when he’s quick on the draw to find the perfect accompaniment to Cassiers.

And obviously the percussion is huge since Oriol Roca is her band leader. He and Cabras have a very intuitive relationship but he’s also impressionistic like Giovanni Di Domenico. It’s kind of odd to think of a percussionist like that but he drives the band with a dreaminess through his peculiar pace and rhythm. It’s also big. His percussion adds layers of texture in the same way electronics do in other music.

Hopefully, this review will inspire you to listen and you can decide for yourself if you think my observations are astute. And enjoy this great album.