Recommended: BISSAP – “Reves de Papillon”

The remarkably genial dialog developed by the quartet BISSAP is more than a little bit impressive when viewed in the context of just how many influences are in play on their new release.  Rêves de Papillon is a map of instrumentation and origins, sticking a pin in Greek, Arabic, Iranian, Japanese, African, American Jazz, and South American and European music forms.  But the fascination triggered by its complexity is balanced by an essential, unfussy lyricism, and the quartet’s rich vocabulary becomes the vehicle, not an obstacle, to achieving a ringing clarity.  The percussive textures perpetually reveal themselves in new and surprising ways, and the quartet keeps finding the simplest path to thread its melody.  Tracks like “Mandragore” and “Chemivati” have a cheerful, upbeat personality, and this is something that remains even when a contemplative tone is introduced on tracks like “Aera” and “Full Moon.”  And all of it is seriously beautiful.

Your album personnel:  Sargam Marie dit Asse (oud, bouzouki, sitar, classical guitar), Mathias Autexier (zarb, daf, derbouka, cajon, rek, urdu), Stéphane Dumas (bansuris, flute, soprano & tenor saxophones, Jew’s harp) and Vincent Bauza (double bass).

This album is Self-Produced.

Listen to more of the album at the artist’s Bandcamp page.

Music from Forcalquier, France.

Available at:  Bandcamp