Description
Track List
- Gypsy Boogie
- Jolie Mademoiselle
- Ouverture
- La Ballade Du Gitan
- Songe d’Automne
- L’Immense Sahara
- Joseph, Joseph
- Caravan
- Careless Love
- Martinique Alley
- Crawfish Blues
- Out of Nowhere
- Sainte Sarah
Reviewed in OffBeat
Clea Simon (July 2014 Issue)
Everything old is new again in the capable hands of Raphael Bas and Harmonouche. His band—the name combines harmonious, harmonica, and “manouche,” the French term for Gypsy jazz—tosses Gypsy swing and other trad jazz together with the diatonic harmonica (usually heard in blues and rock) for an engaging and accomplished good time.
Captured in clean, clear production, this mostly up-tempo collection lightly dances from the instrumental swing of “Gypsy Boogie” (written, like much of this album, by singer/guitarist/harmonica player Bas) through the earthier and arguably more regional “Crawfish Blues” (another Bas composition).
Bas, who also produced, is amply supported by his band, notably through the decorative filigree of Chris Kohl’s playful clarinet (particularly on “Jolie Mademoiselle”) and Bart Ramsey’s accordion and piano. Pascal Valcasara (on sax and cojon) and bassist Tim Paco keep everything sounding easy and breezy, no matter what the pace.
The quintet has such a coherent and appealing style that the few standards—especially “Caravan”—fit right in, and the dancers won’t miss a step.
