Joue Free (Play Free) is a return to basics for clarinetist
Robert M. Lepage, as he pays a very personal tribute to
Jimmy Giuffre. His acolytes are experimental guitarist
Bernard Falaise (of
Papa Boa and
Klaxon Gueule) and jazz bassist
Normand Guilbeault (the Riel project). This CD presents delicate music on the border of chamber jazz and free jazz.
Lepage's clarinet soars, drawing melodies light as a feather, while
Falaise weaves textures with his pedal-volume electric guitar and
Guilbeault anchors it all with his jazzier approach. As free as it may be, these pieces are partly written down and constantly kept under control. The music always remains rather calm, there are no sudden outbursts of energy -- but there is no need for them. The listener is quickly drawn into the mood. On "Arlequinade," guitar and clarinet are fused in an impromptu melody: a magical moment. Two pieces were created for films, but they are indistinguishable from the other tracks. Some might find
Joue Free a bit linear or too toned down, but this is a good occasion to hear
Falaise, still under-recorded in this kind of context.