Joa/Joa/2013

Personnel :

Malo CARVOU : fleüt-treus

Ronan BLÉJEAN : akordeoñs

Armel AN HÉJER : kan

Invités :

Soïg SIBERIL : gitar

Jamie MCMENEMY : bouzouki

Xavier LUGUÉ : gourrebed boud

Website: http://www.joa-music.eu

A sensitive, transcendent new release that transforms the ultra-traditional Breton singing tradition into a high art form of vocal and instrumental expression.

With the eponymously titled first recording of his new ensemble Joa, vocalist Armel an Héjer has finally found the aural setting to fully showcase his remarkable voice. Certainly there is no dearth of talented vocalists in Brittany, but Héjer’s voice is of a caliber that puts him into a class of his own: focused, melancholy, soulful, with a potent and rich timbre. To think of a male vocalist of a similar quality is difficult; one might be drawn to a comparison with the great Yann Fañch Kemener. Both have tremendously appealing voices, but where Kemener’s suggests a dramatic, almost operatic setting, Héjer’s seems more personal and earthy, reminiscent of the meditative vocal traditions of central and south asia.

Over the years Héjer has frequently appeared with the duo of flutist Malo Carvou (who also came over to Joa) and guitarist Bernard Bizien. These three formed the Ozan Trio, and also formed part of the larger Fest Noz ensemble Deust’a. Héjer did not, however, come along with the duo a few years ago when they joined Jamie McMenemy’s group “Jamie McMenemy 4”, which put Carvou and the talented accordionist Ronan Bléjean (formerly of the group Darhaou) on stage together. Bléjean is the third member of Joa.

Joa, then, replaces Bizien’s guitar with Bléjean’s accordion and thus the core group is comprised entirely of winds and reeds. More than just replacing one player with another however, Joa entirely drops the influence of gypsy jazz and swing prevalent in the former for a new sound that is perhaps more straightforwardly Breton, although in saying that it must be clearly understood that this reviewer has never heard anything quite like it before.

This is a gorgeously recorded CD. Close-miked, every nuance of breath and swelling of a note or reed is captured in detail – and those nuances are there in abundance. What an emotional, expressive recording. Whether a slowly pulsing, breathing meditative backdrop of flute and accordion to an impassioned vocal piece, or one of the lively instrumental numbers that speckle the diverse menu, the rhythmic and tonal quality is organic and compelling. The arrangements are deep, tasteful and always moving.

Joa provides a varied program of slow and faster-paced vocal tracks and instrumentals that keeps the listening experience fresh and diverse. The few tracks where guest players (invités) are brought in to provide additional complexity are especially intriguing. Given the other musicians involved, it is no surprise to hear bouzouki player Jamie McMenemy (Kornog, etc) appear here. McMenemy also brought along his longtime musical friend the legendary guitarist Söig Siberil, and on the standout track “É’nig Bihan Ér C’hoed” these string players are joined by upright bassist Xavier Lugué. The video, “Kerden an Awel” (strings and winds), beautifully expresses all of the qualities that make this group and this recording so powerful:

This is a great recording. In a musical milieu frequently crowded with derivative work this is a mature, unique and personal vision singularly expressed and recorded with great skill and perhaps even more importantly, great heart. This reviewer can’t wait to hear what these gentlemen do next.

- Fañch