Mystical, introspective, spiritual and then suddenly savage, exalted, heretical. Tom Bourgeois' music has something solemn and pagan at the same time.

Murmurs, like the warm breath of a familiar person, whispering softly in your ears. Murmurs, like the sound of an intimate word, like the timid sharing of a secret. The saxophone, guitar, accordion and vocals create a poetic, idyllic atmosphere. In alliance or alone, they ebb smoothly, like the movement of the human soul.

Tom Bourgeois: saxophones, clarinette basse & compositions

Loïs Le Van: vocals

Thibault Dille: accordion

Florent Jeunieaux: guitar

Listen here and here.

Murmures / Rumeurs, a quasi-anagram announcing a project in which the compositions themselves participate in this mirror game to which a double formation is dedicated: the already well-known quintet of Mumures consisting of Loïs Le Van on vocals, Tom Bourgeois on sax and clarinet, Thibault Dille on accordion, Florent Jeuneaux on guitar and, on one track, Veronika Harcsa who can also be found on the integral second album, while Loïs Le Van also returns for the overture.

It is difficult to describe it accurately because everything is a fusion of several references. On the first disc without a rhythm section, chamber music is the first thing that comes to mind. Impressionism with "Sonatine II" by Maurice Ravel, both versions of which excel in the search for sound colours. John Dowland - a composer who lived in the transition between the 16th and 17th centuries, and whose music came back into fashion with its nostalgic colours through Sting's album "Songs from the Labyrinth" - whose "Tell me, true love" is arranged by Tom Bourgeois with a finesse sublimated by the beautiful voice of Veronika Harcsa. Then colours are added on "Love tell me the truth" performed with the large formation.

"Soir (29)" is the only piece where we clearly find the theme in both versions, but the rest of the album plays with colours and timbres, harmonies and instrumental setting, without the traditional idea of solo or general effects that we find in big traditional groups. And if we absolutely want to find a reference to jazz (in itself unnecessary because of the pure beauty of the music), it is perhaps with Ravel that we find it in the rippling and swaying side of both versions. Let us also not forget to quote the beautiful texts by François Vaiana - a luxury that they are included in the booklet - which emphasise the clear and refined voice of Loïs Le Van.

Unlike many current productions, the music of "Murmures/Rumeurs" requires attentive, even repeated, listening to understand all its subtleties, but it makes you feel both peaceful and happy.

Texte: © Jean-Pierre Goffin

Photo: ©Tibor Radvanyi