Eddy Louiss: Recit Proche

Parisian B-3 maven Eddy Louiss wails with old-school authority on this fresh, contemporary-flavored outing that finds him in the company of such younger Parisian players as the remarkable drummer Paco Sery (formerly of the Zawinul Syndicate), electric bassist Julio Rakotonanahary, guitarist Jean-Marie Ecay, alto saxophonist Daniel Huck and tenor saxophonist Xavier Cobo. While melodic offerings like “Marilyn & Bronsky,” the buoyant samba-flavored “Au Soleil Avec Toi,” which Louiss performs on piano, and groove-oriented numbers like “Comment Dites-Vous?” and the Brecker Brothers-ish funk of “Pour Toujours” border on smooth jazz, the veteran B-3 burner holds nothing back, blending his hard-bop leanings into the fabric of these upbeat fusion vehicles. Louiss’ unique reading of Gershwin’s “Summertime” is a particular chops showcase. He also stretches out considerably on the album’s lone uptempo swinger, “Incertitudes,” while making his most inventive use of organ timbres and textures on cuts like “Pour Toi” and the affecting title track.

B-3-wise, this one is closer in spirit to recent fusion-laced outings by Barbara Dennerlein than classic, greasy outings by Jimmy Smith, but Louiss still sounds invigorated by the contemporary surroundings.

Originally Published June 1, 2001