VINCENT PEIRANI

LIVING BEING IV: TIME REFLECTIONS

ACT Music

Vincent Peirani, accordion; Emile Parisien, soprano saxophone; Tony Paeleman, piano/keyboards/Fender Rhodes; Julien Herme, bass; Yoann Serra, drums.

Vincent Peirani is an acclaimed French accordionist and composer.  His quintet interprets Peirani’s original music in a way that reminds me of the Pan Piper style. They begin this journey of Accordion jazz with a song called “Le Cabinet des Enigmes” that translates to ‘The Cabinet of Mysteries.’

Their second tune is titled “L.L.”  It begins with a groove set by the bass of Julien Herme. This tune dances around the concept of fusion jazz, with Yoann Serra’s drums spurring the arrangement forward. There are some unexpected time changes incorporated into their arrangement, along with electronics that whisper weird sounds. A tune he has titled “Physical Attraction” has a reggae-feel and rhythm to it.  The melody is catchy.

The only tune on this album that Vincent Peirani has not composed is a medley of songs that feature tunes by David Bowie and Queen, along with Partishead and The Beatles.  It’s called “Bremain Suite” and incorporates rock and pop songs into a marathon of music. They begin the suite by playing “Under Pressure.” It’s a very, blues-based tune, with Serra strongly slapping the two and four into place beneath the moderate-tempo of the tune. “Under Pressure” was composed by Freddie Mercury but is definitely watered down by this arrangement. Smoothly, they transition into David Bowie’s popular tune, “Glory Box.” Finally, they complete the medley with the John Lennon and Paul McCartney composition, “I Want You.”  There is a freedom solo by Emile Parisien on soprano saxophone that strongly moves the piece towards jazz with impressive improvisation, adding jazzy spark that’s missing in the beginning two songs of this suite.

I appreciate the accordion addition into music types like Django jazz.  However, I find Peirani’s music is often sleepy (like “Phantom Resonanz”) or energized with too many repetitious phrases.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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