Recommended: So!triO – “Maze”

 

sotrio-mazeThe cello-drums-guitar combo that comprises So!triO creates an enchantment out of tuneful songs that radiate a huge presence.  Maze is a pleasant mix of folk and jazz with little hints of blues and chamber, and it’s able to generate some serious expressiveness by accentuating the ratios in just the slightest ways.

Cellist Olivier Soubeyran gives these pieces a melodic intensity.  Sometimes it’s highly charged, like in how “Coming From You” has a way of inspiring hopes that the gorgeous melody will never end while simultaneously hinting that it could come apart at any moment.  Resonating just as strong while existing at the other end of that spectrum is the moody “Samedi.”

Guitarist Yann Auger gives these pieces a sense of song.  “Zozo” and “For Camille” are jaunty tunes that hint at melodies meant for getting lodged in memories and whistled compulsively.

Drummer Hakim Molina gives theses pieces their shape.  His rhythmic dexterity on “South” shows a new side to the album’s personality, and his energetic chatter on “Zozo” brings a singular focus that allows a nifty tunefulness to shine through.

Just a really smart, beautiful album.

Your album personnel:  Olivier Soubeyran (cello), Hakim Molina (drums) and Yann Auger (guitar).

The album is Self-Produced.

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

Music from the Paris, France scene.

Available at:  Bandcamp