SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: ERIC CHENAUX – SAY LAURA

ERIC CHENAUX
SAY LAURA
CONSTELLATION RECORDS

Well, here’s a category that might be new to some – spiritual jazz folk. Or, if you want to simplify things, very, very listenable and enjoyable experimental music. Actually, it is something that Eric Chenaux has been known since he popped up on the Toronto improv and indie scene at the end of the 80s and beginning of the 90s. Being experimental and thoroughly listenable at the same time, that is.

These days, Chenaux may have moved to France, but Say Laura, his latest album, shows that two things remain the same. He still records for the always brave and new Constellation Records, and he remains true to himself to keep experimenting, not remaining in the same place twice but still to be able to come up with music that is thoroughly enjoyable.

Getting back to that spiritual jazz folk definition from the beginning, on Say Laura Chenaux seems to be combining jazz greats like Thelonious Monk and/or John Coltrane in his mellower moments with jazz folk experimentalist Tim Buckley on his Blue Afternoon album. If you combine things, and by the sound and the mood of the album you may actually call this one blue midnight. Or later. What we have here is almost perfect wee hours music.

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