[LedZep]

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

Les Égarés by Sissoko / Ségal / Parisien / Peirani

Year of release: 2023
Genres (according to RYM): Chamber Jazz, Mande Music


Ballaké Sissoko has been doing mesmerizing shit for years now, and even though I was very late on that train (started listening to him a few years ago), I'm so glad he's still releasing excellent stuff, perhaps even the best of his long career.

That being said, Les Égarés is NOT a Sissoko album - it's very much a collaborative effort between 4 outstanding musicians, rich with jazz, kora and French folklore sounds, masterfully recorded. It's honestly some of the smoothest, most polished but still warm and human production I've ever heard. Great production is also a staple in Sissoko's recent output, but it has reached the next level with this release, imo.

Sissoko's kora and Parisien's tender soprano sax are a match made in heaven, but Peirani's accordion completely transforms the compositions and it's one of the most perfect blends of unlikely instruments I've heard. Obviously Segal's cello improvisation deserves a shout-out as well, he's been a long time collaborator of Sissoko and he holds the group together.

Definitely my AOTY for now, it's gonna take some effort to dethrone it. One of the best albums I've heard this decade.
_________________
Overall chart
Fake overall chart

2020s

[Hayden]

Ay— different. Hadn't spotted this yet. Just so much getting buried this year.

Should have a chance to give it a spin tomorrow. (Or maybe tonight? Not sure— maybe— either way, looking forward to it).

[Hayden]

It's like Amelie went to the Gambia.

[EyeKanFly]

Whoah, I need to check this out, totally up my alley.

Going on the queue immediately
_________________
51 Washington, D.C. albums!