Alex Grillo - "Couples"

Alex Grillo ‎– "Couples"
CELP ‎– C.35    1997

1     Non Sono Solo...     5:19
2     Lignou     2:43
3     Suite A Contre     4:25
4     Feline     5:29
5     ...Col Vibrafono     5:45
6     Epistrophy     4:25
7     ...Fait Pas L'Moine     3:26
8     Tango Strano     4:45
9     ...Ma Ballo     1:59
10     Shiro Blues     3:45
11     Neptune' Suit     6:34
12     Shut, Chut     4:32
13     ...Il Tchatchatcha     3:54


Vibraphone – Alex Grillo
with
# 1 Frank Tortiller (vib)
# 2 Jean-François Canape (tp)
# 3 Bibi Rovère (b)
# 4 Steve Lacy (ss)
# 5 Serge Pesce (g)
# 6 André Jaume (ts)
# 7 Christian Zagaria (quinton)
# 8 Steve Potts (as)
# 9 Didier Petit (cello)
# 10 Didier Malherbe (fl)
# 11 Sophie gniel (p)
# 12 Bruno Girard (v)
# 13 Patricio Villaroel (p)

Couples features the same pieces as Vibraphone Alone in the exact same sequence, but this time, Alex Grillo teams up with a different partner on each one of them. The overall result is more grounded into jazz than its predecessor and a nice balance is struck between wind, string, and percussion instruments -- not to mention cellist Didier Petit, who does not hesitate to also use his instrument as a drum. Sharing his compositions with various cohorts seems to give Grillo a new momentum and his playing is as lively as ever. The most striking quality of this date is Grillo's ability to rework a composition and alter its mood. Steve Lacy who guests on his own "Feline" adds quite a bit of anguish and causticity to the mystery. "Epistrophy" gains in volume and warmth thanks to the input of André Jaume's tenor sax. "Tango Strano" is taken at full speed and includes some abrupt shifts. There is also a more general sense of playfulness pervading throughout. The most unconventional pieces include the opening piece with fellow vibes player Franck Tortiller and "...Col Vibrafono...," on which guitarist Serge Pesce makes his instrument sound successively as a bass, a violin, and a guitar. This session shows what a talented arranger Grillo is in addition to being a virtuoso and seasoned composer.


AllMusic Review by Alain Drouot

https://www19.zippyshare.com/v/clcVGlxC/file.html