Salif Keïta

Alfio Origlio jazz pianist living between Paris and Grenoble was born in Gap on April 16, 1967.
This musician, recognized by his peers as one of the best jazz pianists on the French scene, is above all guided, in all his projects, by passion. He collaborates with the greatest artists and musicians of the French and international scene: Salif Keïta, Manu Katché, Stacey Kent, Michel Jonasz, Gregory Porter, Didier Lockwood, Stéphane Eicher, Ernie Watts, Michel Colombier, Henry Salvador, Bobby Mc Ferrin, Michel Legrand, Keziah Jones, Me'shell Ndegeocello, Daniel Mille, Chris Potter, Erik Truffaz, Daniel Humair, Juan Carmona .

In between projects and musical collaborations in Europe and Africa, Brussels saxophonist Toine Thys recorded his third album as a trio, ‘The Optimist’, in New York with some major names from Jazz and African music. Desertions, snowstorms, cancelled flights, fires and calendar issues; everything seemed to go against the creation of this new album. With unbeatable energy and optimism in the face of all the trials, Toine Thys finally managed to bring these magnificent musicians together in a New York studio to record this album.

Light melodies are gleaming through a dark cloud of sounds and spheres, constantly driven by extensive grooves. The songs carry along and invite you into an energized world between hip-hop, electro and a Nu jazz aesthetic, containing a lot of nodding and little pathos. The music floats. It’s modern, romantic, deep and dreamy but astonishingly free of cliches. Andrej and his Dunkelgold Crew are brave enough to make music differently, to look at jazz from another angle. The jazz trombonist from Berlin has many facades.

Strut team up for the first time with respected French label Heavenly Sweetness for the brand new album by the inspired poet, novelist and musician, Anthony Joseph. The Caribbean is an influence that runs through Joseph’s discography, obliquely or headon, suggested or on full display. It resonates on each of his albums, from the furious trance of ‘Bird Head Son’ to the more polished ‘Time’.

"VA - Claude Challe: The Best Of" (2005) is a compilation album that brings together a selection of tracks curated by Claude Challe, a renowned French DJ, producer, and music curator, known for his influence in the chill-out and lounge music scenes. The compilation features a collection of tracks from his extensive catalog and those that fit his signature style, which blends a mix of ambient, world music, chillout, and downtempo vibes.

"VA - Sweet Lies (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)" (1988) is the soundtrack album to the film Sweet Lies, a romantic comedy directed by Michel Deville. The film itself revolves around themes of relationships, deception, and infidelity, set against a dramatic yet comedic backdrop. The soundtrack, released in 1988, features a collection of music that complements the tone and atmosphere of the film, blending jazz, romantic, and pop influences that were popular in film soundtracks during the late '80s. Although the film wasn't a major blockbuster, its soundtrack remains a noteworthy collection of music from that era.

This is an excellent collection for someone who is interested in the genre. The mix of songs have a bit of flavor from almost every other music style, and yet taken as a whole, is a very cohesive ensemble. You definitely get an idea of the range of possibilities as well as some guideposts for seeking out specific artists or sub-styles.