REINCARNATIONS

While the work of multi-instrumentalist and composer Sébastien Gramond is most often performed completely by the man himself, it is clear that he would not be able to do a great deal of his work in a live setting without the help of others. Although the man's first live album 'Teardrops Live' featured Gramond in a solo performance on piano, it did seem a bit disappointing that one could not hear the work of Gramond as played by a real band, instead of a series of overlapping tracks by one person. Such is the blessing of the Sébastien Gramond Trio, a session band to play Gramond's work to a live audience. Although the premise of 'Reincarnations' and a jazz-fusion ensemble is very promising for Gramond's work, like 'Teardrops Live', what could have been a much better piece of work is brought down by some poorly mixed recording. To its credit though, the band's sheer chemistry together does make up for part of the flaws.

Playing to what sounds like a fairly small audience, Sébastien Gramond Trio are a great example of a band that plays their hearts out, and seem to enjoy themselves while they do it. During the 'Being Clean - Eleven O'Clock' extended jam, you can really hear the musicians and their ideas bouncing off one another, creating something that isn't merely of Gramond's creation, but of a group effort together. Sébastien shows himself to be a highly skilled keyboard player, and the other musicians seem well chosen for their role. Of a particular mention is the drummer Stéphane Pardon, who puts a nice amount of feel into the percussion. Fair portions of this performance feel improvised, but the ideas flow rather consistently.

Where the album really goes wrong isn't in the performance, but the way the performance is recorded. While production is not generally a particularly important thing when compared to the music, instruments here feel very unbalanced in the way they are mixed. For example, the bass can be heard booming over all other instruments, while the drums and keyboards take their own corners. Done the least justice is the use of the lead guitar, which even during solos, is barely audible under the rest of the mix.

While certainly proof that this band would be fantastic to see for a jazz lover, 'Reincarnations' by itself turns out to be rather disappointing, especially considering that with a more meticulous job of recording, this performance really could have come to life.