Jean-Michel Pilc is a French pianist who decided at age 27 not to pursue the career his engineer studies had prepared him for. Starting in 2000, he broke into the collective conciousness on both sides of the Atlantic with a string of trio albums, accompanied by bassist François Moutin and drummer Ari Hoenig.
Despite being self-taught, Pilc is a virtuoso and on the above-mentioned albums, he makes sure you are aware of that fact. Pilc's trio has become a critical darling, but I, for one, am often left with a feeling of flash over content, brawn (and brain) over beauty. However, Cardinal Points is only in part a trio album, as the first half is given over to the continent-spanning quintet of Sam Newsome on soprano, James Genus on electric and acoustic basses, percussionist Abdou M'Boup and Ari Hoenig. The second half reverts to the familiar trio, performing the four-part "Trio Sonata". The quintet is no mere expansion of the trio's methods, but a completely distinct endeavor.
That virtuosity has been set aside as a primary concern is made evident from the first track: "Fred's Walk" alternates sunlight and gloom with Pilc's heavy and carefully imbricated chording over an African vamp. While not exactly relaxed, it is quite jovial and tinged with African melodic elements. Four successive tracks enumerating the cardinal points begin with "South", which is a faster variation on "Fred's Walk". Newsome joins in and, as he does throughout the disc, adds a touch of paranoia and darkness to the music as his lines take controlled skids off the paths drawn by the rest of the band. Here, Genus' electric bass is reduced to a weird, almost parasitic one-note throb that would almost be more at home as part of a Dizzee Rascal maelstrom.
As saxophonist and pianist loosely toss the lead back and forth on "Ari's Mode", they emphasize the lack of out-and-out soloing of the quintet format, quite a change for Pilc. A harrowing reading of Ellington's "Mood Indigo" (the only composition not penned by the leader) throws new light on what is generally an unproblematically lush pastoral scene: Newsome is broken and haunting, while Pilc draws tangentially-related figures (rather than comps) behind him. Finally, the title track is upbeat and seems to celebrate the end of the quintet's appearance and hand the proceedings over to the trio.
Article comments
1 - Sandra Smallson
Hmmm. Completely opposite from what a friend of mine told me about cardinal points. She just thought it was excellent all the way through. It's a shame the record stores dont let u get a brief listen anymore. I was going to pick it up but I am hoping to borrow it. I have Andrew Hill's Passing Ship and I have been led to believe not only by Amazon (who cost me a fortune) but by my friend, that if I like Passing Ships, I will like Cardinal points and that it is a much better offering.
I wonder if there's a website where I could catch a free listen before I give Amazon more of my money.
2 - mwanji
I have Passing Ships and cannot see much ressemblance between the two albums. I saw that Amazon customers "also bought" Passing Ships, but that's where the comparaison ends, IMO.
If this is your introduction to Pilc, I would recommend getting a trio album instead: there are two volumes of "Live at Sweet Basil" and "Welcome Home" to choose from.
3 - Mark Saleski
from what i've read (and heard only in snippets) this record is somewhat of a style departure for pilc.
what's i've heard so far reminds me of brad meldau.
4 - Sandra Smallson
It is my introduction to Pilc. Thanks, I will take your advice. Welcome Home, I can borrow from the music Library cos I think I have seen it there. I'll give that a listen. I hate to part with money unless I know what it is I am getting.
5 - mwanji
Mark,
Yes, this is different for him, as composition becomes more important than improvisation and group interplay.
Mehldau doesn't really come to mind for me. Pilc is much more forceful and their trio sounds, expressivity and compositional styles are totally different. I think Pilc gets more often compared to Martial Solal.
6 - Eric Olsen
Good job Mwanji, I actually have this but haven't got to it yet. Thanks!
7 - Ccile
Hello,
You can watch some part of the show of Jean-Michel Pilc trio, live at Theatre Le Quai, Angers, France.