HUGO BLOUIN

LE BUFFET

Ambiance Magnétiques

Hugo Blouin, double bass/lead vocals/backup vocals/composer; John Hollenbeck, drums/percussion; Eugenie Jobin Tremblay & Marion Rampal, lead vocals; Aurélien Tomas, saxophones/flute/bass clarinet/back-up vocals; Marianne Trudel, piano; Alissa Cheung, violin; Émilie Fortin, Trumpet; Sylvaine Arnaud & Charlotte Layec, back-up vocals. 

The concept of this album is quite unique.  It is Hugo Blouin’s fourth album release and the Montreal Bassist and composer is celebrating cooking and recipes.  The actual recipes are being sung by an improvised soprano lead vocalist, Eugenie Jobin Tremblay. The ensemble opens with a tomato soup recipe, The accompanying video speaks to viewers in French, as does the vocalist. Marianne Trudel’s piano takes an impressive improvised solo. On the video, the soup becomes paint.  A hand brushes red tomato soup across a canvas.  Hugo Blouin’s double bass sets the tempo beneath Trudel’s piano.  Now someone finger-paints with the soup, then lays in the soup; writes the musical notes on music sheet papers and covers it in olive oil. It’s a unique experience.

Armed with food as his subject, Blouin playfully creates music that exemplifies free jazz on this latest album “Le Buffet.”  Prior to this album, he has tackled such subjects as ‘hockey’ on other productions. This current release spotlights recipes collected from his friends. Blouin creates an unexpected banter about food and cooking, mixed into his free jazz concept and imaginative virtuosity, with a hint of humor throughout the entire process. As his publicist writes, “The band he has assembled for Le Buffet would no doubt garner a Michelin Star if it were transposed to the culinary realm.”

One of my favorite tunes on this creative-cooking-with-music excursion is Track #4, “Apres Tu Manges.”  The vocals of Eugenie Jobin Tremblay are crystal clear and lovely. They create mood and melody above the steady double bass of Hugo Blouin.  When the piano of Trudel enters, the mood becomes open, like stars and space. Sometimes her piano sounds like a harp. Hollenbeck’s drums steady the dreamy tune with his solid rhythm.

Blouin is surrounded by six-time Grammy nominee, John Hollenbeck on drums and OPUS Award winner for Jazz Album of the Year and Composer of the Year, Marianne Trudel on piano. Hugo Blouin is an eclectic artist, who works in various genres including jazz, folk music, free jazz, sound-art, the avant-garde, and music with poetry. Now, he has added music with recipes. Aurelien Tomas adds much beauty, energy and creativity using a group of woodwind instruments including saxophones, flute, and bass clarinet.

This is an adventure for the ears. Bassist, Hugo Blouin is a unique and creative composer.  Surrounded by some of Canada’s best musicians, he takes us on a delicious culinary trip, tantalizing us musically.  This production is spicy hot and will tickle your musical tastebuds.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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