0011001 Frederik Valentin

The good news is that this is as attractive a disc of late romantic string sextet music as has ever been released. With the young yet poised and powerful Artemis Quartett as the basic ensemble augmented by violist Thomas Kakuska and cellist Valentin Erben from the Alban Berg Quartet, these performances have a warmth, an intelligence, and a soulfulness to rival the finest performers of the past.

Discovered by Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen, Valentin was the first artist signed to GRP and he has been a popular attraction ever since. Valentin has recorded over 15 albums, combining the influence of pop, R&B, and Brazilian music with Latin and smooth jazz to create a slick and accessible form of crossover jazz. In his second album - Legends the young flautist is already a major force on New York's jazz and Latin scenes. Legends represents his solid blend of youthful energy and creative experience.

Jungle Garden is just another real gem by one of the greatest flutist in the Jazz realm, and the best in Latin Jazz. The best two cuts by far are "Very Nice Indeed" with Tania Maria on the piano, and the killer cut Tabasco. Those were the days when a flutist had to prove themselves and Valentin does it.

The Magnificat, written to celebrate Mary’s joy after the Annunciation, and the oldest Christmas Cantata of Bach (Weimar, 1713), are an overwhelming fresco of a Nativity, foundation of the world. With these masterful works, Johann-Sebastian Bach opens for us the gates of the sacred, as well as the ones to our own relationship with spirituality. These pieces, amongst the most beautiful ever composed, are no doubt the best way possible to open the Christmas period. Led here by the very young but nonetheless inspired, Valentin Tournet who conducts his ensemble La Chapelle Harmonique.

Valentin gained attention early on as a versatile musician who was able to play in Latin jazz groups but found professional success by exploring the sounds of world music with his flute. He was adept at Latin and straight-ahead jazz, but was also known for combining Latin rhythms with pop sounds in his original music. He was the first artist signed to the GRP jazz label in 1978 and released 18 world music albums on the imprint.