Louison — Magnetic Feel
country: France
year: 2022
time: 46:27
tracks:
Triangular Prologue (6:43), The Big Galactic Rondo (10:18), Human Epilogue (2:09), Conservation Of Energy Pt. 1 (3:38), The Big Freeze (3:35), Electron-Positron Annihilation (3:05), Stargazing (5:12), Conservation Of Energy Pt. 2 (5:17), Galaxian Explosion (2:16), The Big Rip (feat. Erithacus Rubecula) (3:59)
Jan Buddenberg (DPRP.net)
After spending many years in the USA, recording a variety of prog-inspired jazz/post-Canterbury neo-classical fusion albums, which involved amongst others a collaboration with Eitan Kenner, French-born multi-instrumentalist Louis 'Louison' de Mieulle (all instruments) recently returned to his homeland. Through Magnetic Feel he presents his first full electronic solo album.
Aided by Casimir Liberski (extra synth production and solos) Louison paraphrases the style of the album as "cyberprog". Given the eclectic nature of the diverse soundscapes, this is an apt description, although the unbridled sonic adventure captured on Magnetic Feel resonates predominantly with a delightful distinct 80's feel to me. This is for instance perfectly illustrated by the futuristic, funky synth pop movements of opener Triangular Prologue, which envisions immaculate images of Harald Faltermeyer.
Immediately complying with the album's sci-fi artwork this song holds attention excellently through its playfulness and a galaxy of vibrant sounds and sequences that provide a beautiful layering in the music. This composition also introduces some of the recurring themes, as mentioned in its accompanying subtitle, which in Conservation Of Energy Pt.2 visits a lovely inventive pulsating framework of Moog bass and electronic voicing elements, the latter bringing shards of Kraftwerk to light.
Surprisingly it's the energetic Conservation Of Energy Pt.1 that brings delightful 70's inspired Canadian FM textures with a hint of Nash the Slash experimentalism and prog-influenced cinematic warmth. The subsequent The Big Freeze adds an oppressive vacuum to this through drones, radiating noises, blimps and spatial bombast that conjures up cinematic atmospheres of Bladerunner.
Another fine cinematic experience is presented in the epic The Big Galactic Rondo which envisions to me an adventurous promenade in an elusive city that fizzes with a vast variety of life.
The album also takes a deep dive into the avant-garde with Electron-Positron Annihilation, which harbours an extremely effective machine-like complexity that excels in dexterous rhythmic design, and dips ever so gently into spiritualism through the electronically voiced Human Epilogue. The album finally reaches its final destination in The Big Rip. This song beautifully transforms Louison's artfully created multi-verse into an enchanting world of beauty and peace and marks a satisfying conclusion to the album's narrative.
Overall Magnetic Feel expresses a beautiful, engaging attraction through its well-crafted, highly detailed and intricately arranged compositions and comes highly recommended for connoisseurs of electronic music.
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TheEliteExtremophile - August 8, 2022
Artist: Louison | Album: Magnetic Feel | Genre: Jazz-fusion, Math rock, Progressive electronic | Year: 2022
From: Paris, France | Label: Independent
For fans of: newer Ozric Tentacles, Return to Forever
Bandcamp
Louis de Mieulle is a multi-instrumentalist and composer I’ve previously covered twice on this site. Since his last outing, there have been a few changes. He’s moved from the US back to France and rebranded as “Louison.” His new album, Magnetic Feel, is much more electronic and synth heavy than either of his Sideshow albums. He also performs (almost) all the instruments, whereas those two prior releases were recorded with bands. This solo approach has also forced him to be more structured in his songwriting, and considering some of my comments on Sid€show 2, that’s probably a net good.
Not everything is different on Magnetic Feel. Though de Mieulle bills this album as “cyberprog” and “retrofuture,” there is a grounding in jazz-rock, math rock, and the contemporary prog scene. Like the two Sideshow albums, this is entirely instrumental, and there’s a strong sense of sonic continuity across the ten songs here.
The album kicks off with the energetic “Triangular Prologue”. Electronic percussion and glimmering synths certainly nod toward the sounds of the 1980s, but the particular tones and the production avoid the soulless sterility of a lot of the music of that era and of subsequent ‘80s-worship acts. There is a sense of ebbing and swelling tension throughout this piece, and the deployment of a variety of timbres with a limited selection of musical ideas makes for something engaging and exciting.
“The Big Galactic Rondo” is the longest song on Magnetic Feel, clocking in at a bit over ten minutes. The synth patterns contrast jittery staccato strikes with lush pads for an effect I could best call cyber-jazz. This piece is darker and more brooding than the opener, and its relative spareness makes its eventual build that much more effective. Following this is the short, spooky interlude, “Human Epilogue”.
The opening of “Conservation of Energy Pt. 1” is restrained. It feels like it’s fighting against a force that’s holding it back, and themes from earlier in the album briefly crop up. Its second half is rather warm and hopeful. In contrast, “The Big Freeze” lives up to its icy name. The synth tones are cold and austere, and there is an echoing expansiveness that only adds to the sense of musical isolation.
“Electron-Positron Annihilation” harkens back to moments on Sid€show 2 with its stripped-down and wintry feel. There is a sense of foreboding that only increases throughout this song’s runtime. Calming things down after that intense cut, “Stargazing” has a subtle warmth, and its somewhat meandering mood is a nice change of pace over the grim determination of some of the preceding cuts.
The second half of “Conservation of Energy” has the most organic-sounding percussion on the album, and this album’s main motif is given prominent placement. Though I enjoy this cut overall, it does feel a tad overlong.
Another interlude, “Galaxian Explosion”, follows; and much like “Human Epilogue”, it should have either been significantly trimmed or cut entirely.
Magnetic Feel ends with “The Big Rip”. This cut has some interesting, dark ideas in it, but it ultimately feels somewhat jumbled. I understand what de Mieulle was going for, but this song lacks cohesion.
Despite these gripes near the end, Magnetic Feel is a strong overall release. The electronic elements are fun, and the songwriting is nice and tight for the most part. I like the way de Mieulle revisited the same motif in a handful of tracks, and this feels like a natural refinement of his earlier improv-heavy releases.
Score: 80/100
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progressor-net.blogspot.com
Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, November 2022
Prolusion.
French composer and musician Louis de Mieulle has been exploring his take on progressive rock and related fields of music for a bit over a decade by now, either as a solo artist or as a part of different creative constellations. Now in 2022 he felt the need for a slight change of scenery, and thus released a solo album under the artist moniker Louison, presumably indicating that the music made under this moniker is a bit different from his regular solo albums. The first production to be released under this new moniker is called "Magnetic Feel", and was self released in the summer of 2022.
Analysis.
As one would expect from the album name as well as the tasteful cover illustration, futuristic music is what de Mieulle has been exploring this time around. While a few rock instruments sneak in here and there, this is a production defined by synthesizers and electronic sounds, and of a kind that comes with a few expected associations along the way.
Hence we do get a few cuts that take on a style and sound a bit closer tol what Kraftwek might create on a good day, and there are a few occasions where nods in the direction of Tangerine Dream are present too. With robotic voice like effects as a key feature in the former and spirited sequencer and rhythm displays an important aspect of the latter. All along with a plethora of futuristic and also cosmic sounds filling the soundscapes quite nicely and compellingly.
Stretching his forays a bit more into the unexpected, we also get a small handful of compositions that can probably be best described as cosmic funk and space jazz, with a defined bass synth presence for the former and a relaxed, jazz-oriented attitude for the latter. These songs also feature more expressive sounding electronic displays, like the synthesizers used to mimic the more expressive attitude one tends to find in jazz and fusion.
Otherwise ambient landscapes are present and accounted for, and we also get what might be a slight nod in the direction of the brilliant Isao Tomita. Cosmic and futuristic sounds and often with a cosmic tinge to them is a distinct presence throughout of course, making the overall sound and feel of this production arguably being the most striking identity mark.
Conclusion.
Electronic music with its futuristic feel has been a fascinating field to explore for musicians for many years, and on "Magnetic Feel" Louis de Mieulle takes his first official steps into these landscapes. The end result is an interesting album, slightly uneven in experienced quality but with many compelling landscapes found along the way too. A production to seek out by those who tend to enjoy futuristic music and that finds a progressive approach to this type of music to be generally interesting.
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TheEliteExtremophile - June 1, 2020
Artist: Louis de Mieulle | Album: Sid€show 2 | Genre: Jazz fusion | Year: 2020
From: New York, USA
For fans of: Return to Forever, Brainticket
Last year, New York-based bassist and composer Louis de Mieulle released Side$how, an instrumental, improvisation consisting of himself, a drummer, and two keyboardists. That album was one of my most pleasant surprises of 2019, given my usual leeriness about instrumental records. He deftly blended a jazzy backbone with proggy flourishes and touches of krautrock, zeuhl, and even electronic music.
On Sid€show 2, de Mieulle follows the same general template. Himself, a drummer, and two keyboardists improvise over a preconceived structure, employing the musical vocabulary of both jazz and progressive rock. Despite the similarities in how these two albums were composed and recorded, they have vastly different characters. Side$how had a bright, sunny atmosphere, but Sid€show 2 has a colder feel to it.
The opening “Dwarf Elephant” demonstrates this atmospheric shift. It’s a slow-moving piece full of diminished chords, and the lead synth line has a haunting quality to it. The spare composition of “The Two-Headed Kid Variations, Pt. 1” continues this trend. The individual instruments seem to be working around one another, rather than together. This observation isn’t a complaint, though, as that approach is effective at enhancing the mood.
“Giant Fly (aka Mes Choux Gras aka Metastasis)” blends the jitteriness of Side$how with the icy tones established on this record. Especially of note here is de Mieulle’s bass tone. It’s a crunchy, biting tone that reminds me a lot of Geddy Lee, and this tonal aggression fits the darker mood of Sid€show 2.
Returning to earlier themes, “The Two-Headed Kid Variations, Pt. 2” establishes a spacier atmosphere with watery synthesizers and massive amounts of reverb. However, this is one of the rare points on the album where the slow pace and sparse instrumentation are a detriment. This song winds up dragging on for several minutes too long.
The 12-minute “Dwarf Elephant/Bed of Snails” is my favorite song on the album. Its first half utilizes rich instrumentation, and I would once again make sonic comparisons to Rush, not only in the bass tone but also in the synthesizer selection. The composition itself is incredibly un-Rush-like in its jazz backbone and improvisation, but a similar sound palette is used. The song’s second half revisits some themes from Side$how and adapts them to fit this album’s overall feel.
“Revenge of the Giant Fly” is a disorienting piece, featuring a fractured bassline and reversed percussion amid the usual odd synth chords. This piece is followed by part three of “The Two-Headed Kid Variations”. By this point on the record, I’d gotten somewhat exhausted by his revisitations of this idea. Any one of these three variations would have been fine as a standalone piece, and this third part is my favorite of the three, in isolation. However, this theme isn’t interesting enough to warrant nearly twenty minutes of music.
“Son of Giant Fly” is another dark piece that features an especially aggressive, jumpy bassline, and many of the start-stop instrumental flourishes remind of acts like Yes or Dream Theater. The closing “Two-Headed Kid Theme” features some of the lushest textures on the album, though it does feel somewhat out of place as the album’s closer.
Sid€show 2 continues in the same vein as its predecessor, with some notable changes. This record feels starker and colder than last year’s Side$how. I like the continuity between these two albums. However, the sparseness of Sid€show 2 works against it at points, leading to moments which feel unnecessarily drawn out. Despite these shortcomings, I enjoy this record and would definitely recommend it to people who enjoy jazzy, instrumental rock.
Score: 76/100
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The Elite Extremophile
September 09, 2019
Matt
Artist: Louis de Mieulle | Album: Side$how | Genre: Progressive rock, Jazz fusion | Year: 2019
From: New York, USA
For fans of: Return to Forever, Magma, Brainticket, Probably a lot of those jazzy instrumental metal acts I don’t like
I’ve been pretty open in my general hesitance toward instrumental albums. I’m not the kind of person to pay attention to lyrics, but the human voice adds so much character to music, which can be quite difficult to make up for with just instruments. I don’t believe I’ve discussed it in any great detail on this site—though I’ve made a few comments about it on Reddit—but I am also not a fan of the current zeitgeist of jazzy, instrumental rock and metal epitomized by acts like Intervals, Plini, and Sithu Aye. So much of it just sounds like aimless, speedy noodling. Thank God this album avoids those pitfalls magnificently.
French-born bassist and composer Louis de Mieulle’s newest album, Side$how, is a constantly-engaging blend of ambitious instrumental progressive rock with many trappings of jazz. Touches of electronic genres and krautrock crop up throughout this release’s 41-minute runtime. Consisting of eight songs, titled “Bed of Nails, Part 1-8”, the music was mostly improvised and recorded live by de Mieulle, a pair of keyboardists, and a drummer.
Just based off this description, I would normally be wary and worried that this would wind up being an aimless morass of electric piano tinkling, but these compositions each have a unique character and feel purposeful. Part 1 opens with a jumpy bassline topped with stuttering organ licks. This evolves into a gliding synth solo before funky clavinet comes in. What is striking is how smooth and organic the transitions feel.
Part 3 feels as if it draws inspiration from video game music while avoiding the bland sterility of chiptune. The bass part is fun, melodic, and propulsive, and the fluttery staccato synth backing only adds to this energy. Part 5, meanwhile, clocking in at over 17 minutes, is the most adventuresome piece on Side$how. Not only does it draw from jazz, but also from krautrock, electronic music, and even zeuhl. The song pulses and throbs over sequenced synthesizers, using repetition with subtle, accruing changes to great effect.
The even-numbered songs on Side$how are all relatively short interludes, ranging from 90 seconds to a bit over two minutes. Despite their short length, they display an impressive amount of diversity, with textures and atmospheres ranging from melodic to dissonant and from gentle to harsh.
Side$how is a fun, upbeat collection of music. Each song on this album has its own distinct character while at the same time feeling like it belongs with the rest. The bass and key tones are consistent across the album, but they don’t become stale, thanks in large part to the musicians’ skillful interplay and de Mieulle’s inventive compositions.
Score: 83/100
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Prog Archives
September 03, 2019
TCat
SIDE$HOW
Louis de Mieulle
Jazz Rock/Fusion
4.00
From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website
Louis de Mieulle is a classical and jazz trained composer, bassist and cellist. He has been involved with jazz projects, including his own band "Soundchaser", and has also been releasing solo albums since 2011. His fifth full length solo album, released in August of 2019, is a slight departure from previous albums in that it is a more light-hearted approach to his music. It is also the first of what Louis promises to be a series of "sideshow" style albums. This album, simply called and stylized as "Side$how", is an 8 part-suite entitiled "Bed of Nails". The 8 tracks on the album represent the 8 parts. The runtime for the album is almost 41 minutes.
The band line-up that Louis has recruited along for the ride are himself, playing under the name Sideshow Louis (bass, regurgitator), Casimir Liberski (keyboards and chapeaugraphy), Ditan Kenner (keyboards and human blockhead), Doron Lev (drums for tracks 1-4 and 6 and fire breather), and Raphael Pannier (drums fro tracks 5,7,and 8 and glass walking). The album is recorded live in the studio.
Part 1 of the suite is called "1st Meditation" (5:14). The music starts with a catchy rhythm and an airy feel created by smooth bass, organ, drums and guitar. The organ takes the main spotlight at first shared with a funky guitars and other keys step in to share main melody which is improvised on. There is a nice, carefree atmosphere about the whole thing that, while it is a funky sound, it is also quite relaxed and free flowing. Part 2, "Bedhunters" (1:59) begins with a somewhat complex riff created by bass and synth. A short, yet progressive interplay of instruments create a playful cacophony of sound that dances around with this riff. Part 3 "Discoteak" (6:28) uses a straitforward beat with bass and some interesting keyboard effects to make a track that sounds catchy and complex at the same time. The drums settle in to a fast groove along with the bass, and the organ plays counter to the beat with a staccato style, until synths come in to smooth out the sound a bit. The rhythm breaks down after 3 minutes and the music wanders along with bass and low frequency synths, and then another warbly synth takes over the main line against a slightly slower, but heavier beat. Instruments drop off one by one and then suddenly all come back together again to close out this part.
Part 4 "Fakir Song" (2:11) is less structured, with keyboards creating some interesting counter themes and tones, as the bass and drums try to hammer out some kind of structure, but not really able to iron things out. The feel is a bit more experimental and contemporary jazz style. Part 5 "2nd Meditation" (17:21) is quite a bit longer than the preceding tracks. It starts out taking it's time to establish and a symmetrical groove, and everything works together to eventually come to some sort of agreement. The drums are a bit wilder in this one, and the keys take advantage of this by teasing everything into coming together, while the bass holds its own playing persistently until it does all come together. Louis has been known to incorporate a post rock attitude in his music, and that seems to stand out a little more here, but the track never falls victim to post rock formulas, making sure the jazz fusion sound is the real thing directing the sound. When the instruments finally fall into the groove, the bass becomes the anchor as keyboards swirl and dance around the groove. The bass continues to add notes to its free riffing pattern, and that is the closest thing to a melody here as the synths work to create musical texturing and improvising around that pattern. Subtle layers come in building intensity at different times, but at 8 minutes, you can really hear it all start to build and resolve to a new plateau. After that, it calms down a bit as the synths begin a drone and allow the bass and drums to pound things out together. This continues while the synths start to float around softly and freely. It all quiets down even more as bongos and percussion lighten things up. The track then goes atmospheric with only bass, effects and a single synth flutters around. The music goes into avant-jazz territory for a minute or two, then a repeated note takes over, slowly building the band back in layer by layer until the drums bring everything back. This long track seems to go by quickly because of the territory it covers, never stagnating or staying in one place for too long, experimenting with dynamic and occasional effects, it is an interesting, dynamic and masterful study of control and improvisation.
Part 6 is another section entitled "Fakir Song" (1:26). As in Part 4, this is also a more contemporary jazz feel with a heavier beat this time that follows the same thematic element as Part 4. Part 7 "3rd Meditation" (4:39) then fades back in, again following this same theme, but in a very chaotic way. The entire band is playing, but sounding more independent and free as they all hash out their own sounds, but after 1 minute, it all becomes more coherent, the bass pounds out a line against a more structured drum pattern, and then keys come back in freely playing around the bass line. This very fusion sounding track reminds me of early Porcupine Tree jams, it's more psychedelic and experimental and it also has some really cool grinding effects in the middle. Part 8 "Afrobead" (1:42) ends the entire suite, or at least this album,
This is a nice, playful departure from Louis more serious sound, and I love the nu-jazz elements that are quite eveident here. Each instrument is its own sideshow of sorts, but they all come together (well most of the time anyway) to work as a complete circus, or at least a band with one vision. The way things move from somewhat chaotic sections to smooth and groove filled improvisations is entertaining in and of itself. Some of the shorter tracks, seem to make things a bit choppy, but the long centerpiece of the album, Part 5, brings it all together. First time listeners will wonder how this suite all fits together, but halfway through, you will begin to realize that the suite is using a main theme and creating variations around it, all while other instruments create improvisations with the theme and then create textures and sections that live in a world of their own. When things are left to develop more, the sound is smooth as things transition from one sub-section to another. Even the short tracks are important here, but they do tend to break things up a little bit, but this problem doesn't really distract from the overall cohesiveness of the album. This album is highly recommended, especially to jazz fusion lovers who also like a bit of inventiveness added in for some unexpected surprises.
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Divide and Conquer
May 09, 2018
Rebecca Rothschild
Louis de Mieulle & Matt Garstka
Dual
[self-released, 2018]
3.9 out of 5
By Rebecca Rothschild
East coast meets west coast wit the dynamic duo of Louis De Mieulle and Matt Garstka. De Mieulle hails from France but is currently residing in New York City. At home in France, he studied classical music and then in the states, educated himself on black American music. Matt Garstka is a drummer living in Los Angeles and has been classified as a drum "superhero." I have no idea how these two met, and they seem perfectly content to deny me that fun little factoid. I don't take offense. I like when there's a little mystery to be solved. These people on the opposite of the country came together to create the album Dual. This is a fascinating and wildly experiment romp of math rock and neoclassical polyphony.
The music is enigmatic and at times downright perplexing. There is a mix of groovy rock vibes combined with electronic synths and sampled elements. I would say there was a section in each of the eight tracks that I enjoyed. While the album may sound a little off the walls, there is a method at work. There is a pattern where the two build up the individual elements that will eventually formulate a few bars of what sounds like traditional music. They will then deconstruct that traditional just as quickly. Sometimes there are some added parties, a few micro experiments within the larger experiment. Some of it is fun to hear and admittedly I found some of it to be downright grating to the ears.
The two have their roles to play. De Mieulle brings these fabulous little grooves into the mix while Garstka explores the not so beaten of percussion methods in all forms. It's a very enigmatic mix that takes me to acid jazz and experimental rock places I have not been before. I think this is an album that will have great appeal for musicians more than anyone else. I can see jazz, experimental and even indie bands being sucked into their construction and deconstruction of everything. I'll say this, as I write this review, I find it strangely ideal to have it playing while working. There's a productivity to the music that is motivating.
I can see a good deal of non-musicians like myself struggling to find the music appealing at all times. As I said there were some sections that weren’t easy on my ears. I think that some changes in the production process may be able to help with that because I don't mind erratic or dizzying movements. The album was recorded, mixed and mastered in New York City.
The big sell on this album is originality and boldness. I would say it's definitely tailored to a very niche market. I respect these two for fully committing to their vision.
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Can this even be called Music?
April 04, 2018
Dave Tremblay
Louis de Mieulle & Matt Garstka - DUAL
Bassist and composer Louis de Mieulle‘s album with drummer extraordinaire Matt Garstka is the underground modern jazz album you didn’t know you needed. Dual is based off of Matt’s beats – whether they are improvised or not is unknown –, in a similar fashion to Marco Minnemann’s Normalizer project, I suppose. The beats then serve as the foundation of the songs, and the result is a truly impressionist and modern architecture. Polyrhythms galore, and the harmonic and melodic concepts brought on by Louis and the various guest guitarists are infectious. Awesome album, and I can’t wait for the second part of this concept release, due this summer.
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The Progressive Aspect
March 07, 2018
Roger Trenwith
Louis de Mieulle & Matt Garstka - DUAL [EP]
Following on from the rather fine but criminally ignored stars, plants & bugs album in 2015, French nu-fusion maestro Louis de Mieulle has teamed up with American drummer Matt Garstka, best known for his stint with Animals as Leaders. In an unusual set up, Matt recorded 25 minutes of sometimes bewilderingly complex rhythms, after which Louis, with the aid of three guest guitarists, recorded everything else on top. An hour’s worth of music was created, this being the first part. The second will be released later in the year.
The nature of Matt’s rhythms means that the overlaid music is a spidery, hypnotic beast that develops into strange textures and melodies. It is gratifying that amongst all the identikit fusion out there these days that someone is taking risks and forging new paths. If you have an ear for true progressive music, you need to hear this.
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Clair & Obscur
October 04, 2015
Lucas Biela
Louis de Mieulle – Stars, Plants & Bugs
4 OCTOBRE 2015 JAZZ FUSION & ELECTRO-JAZZ
Titre: Stars, Plants & Bugs
Groupe/artiste: Louis de Mieulle
Sortie: 2015
Label: Dalang! Records
Louis de Mieulle est un jeune bassiste français établi à New York. Après un premier album de jazz-fusion aux rythmes contagieux, il nous revient avec ce qui pourrait être considéré comme la bande-son d'un film entomologico-cosmique. Toujours entouré du batteur Matt Garstka (qui officie par ailleurs au sein du désormais culte groupe de metal-fusion Animals As Leaders) et du claviériste versatile et éclectique Casimir Liberski, il a voulu donner une orientation plus féerique à sa musique en s'adjoignant les services du flûtiste Sarpay Özcagatay et du percussionniste Tareq Rantisi. A l'image des mille couleurs et des mille-pattes qui peuplent un monde inspiré de l'école naïve du "Douanier" Rousseau, c'est une musique aux mille mouvements hypnotiques et à tout autant de mélodies charmeuses qui se déroule. En effet, là où la batterie déploie des trésors d'inventivité rythmique étourdissante, la flûte apporte quelques notes de poésie éthérée.
Par ailleurs, face à un fouillis agité signe de l'activité grouillante d'insectes dans une forêt imaginaire, et face à la sérénité imperturbable d'un ciel d'azur, les claviers se posent tantôt en spectateurs tantôt en acteurs opportunistes. Partageant en effet les moments de tendresse de la flûte (le piano lunaire de "Green Hojary"), ils peuvent également appuyer les cadences saccadées de la batterie (l'orgue Hammond exalté dans la suite "Insect Party (aka Soundfreeze #2)"), se retrouvant ainsi dans la même configuration que ces abeilles opportunistes qui butinent au gré de leurs rencontres.
En revanche, les percussions délicates ont choisi d'entrer dans une relation symbiotique avec la voûte céleste, alimentant sa sérénité de la même façon que les arbres des forêts tropicales fournissent aux fourmis arboricoles les ressources énergétiques dont elles ont besoin pour leur survie. A la manière de l'adrénaline montant chez un funambule suspendu dans les airs, ce jeu d'équilibre entre ciel et terre nous donne des frissons.
Avec quelques arrêts sur le regard bienveillant des étoiles d'un ciel immaculé, c'est donc un univers foisonnant que le bassiste à l'imagination débordante fait vivre dans toute sa splendeur et sa diversité.
Lucas Biela
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The Progressive Aspect
September 20, 2015
Roger Trenwith
Louis De Mieulle – stars, plants & bugs
Article by: Roger Trenwith
Some four years after his first solo album, the highly listenable Defence Mechanisms, nimble-fingered bass player Louis De Mieulle returns with his second offering stars, plants & bugs. Louis is an ex-pat Frenchman living in New York, and from the line up on his debut he retains the services of drummer Matt Garstka and keyboard player Casimir Liberski. More melodic than Defence Mechanisms but no less complex, stars, plants & bugs is an instrumental concept album that transmits the natural and cosmic themes of the album title through a music that is both intellectual but at the same time easy on the ear.
This is an individual take on jazz, but those of you who scuttle off whimpering at the very mention of the word really have nothing to fear here. Go on, jump in, the water’s lovely! Opening with the charmingly pastoral Petrified Wood #1 we are soon aware of the fact that Louis and his mates have a knack of transmitting a title’s mental image through highly crafted musicianship.
The trio are joined on some numbers by Turkish flautist Sarpay Özçagatay, aka “SharpEye”. Like Louis and Casimir, Sarpay is a graduate of that production line of musical quality, the Berklee School of Music, located in Boston, USA. Sarpay’s contributions add a natural colour to the canvas; his sinuous and dextrous playing is a delight to behold. Completing the multi-national group is Jerusalem born Tareq Rantisi , a percussionist who has played with a long list of jazz and world music players.
After a tale from the Petrified Wood opens the album, Castor’s song is delivered, all fleet of foot, skipping through the cosmos. The storyline on Louis’ website has it that Insect Party sees the bugs “gather for the Grand Bug Party. Wobbly millipedes, glow worm choirs, restless cockchafer, thieving ants: on the verge of chitinous chaos!” Louis obviously has a thing about arthropods, as this reprises a theme from the first album, and a track by the title of The Ladybug and the Cockchafer. Simultaneously regimented, playful, melodic and dissonant, Insect Party delves into the strange and restless hive mind, but these insects seem to be having fun in their own peculiar way. Keyboard scales ascend in unusual but harmonious fashion, underpinned by a repeating bass line in varied tempos. The small creatures skitter hither and thither to great effect.
While staying within its own modern jazz and fusion furrow, I can envisage that this album will appeal to those of you who are keen on adventurous music regardless of genre. The arrangements drift seamlessly from modernistic electronic and sci-fi fuzzed bass backgrounds, to venture forth across spacious cosmic vastness, to dropping in on rarefied alt-lounge jazz piano respectfully paying homage to ancient wonder. Contrasting with the more traditional jazz structures elsewhere, thoroughly up to date techno rhythms, played by men not machines I hasten to add, permeate Gemini – Part 2: Pollux (Yang).
The longest track here, at just over 13 minutes, is the melancholic Taurus Asleep. Quoting the storyline again: “Passing from one world to another. The Taurus constellation doesn’t glow anymore. Gemini Twins sing their sorrow and revolt against Nature’s inexorable law.” Extemporising on a Bolero-like theme the twins are entwined in a sorrowful lament, represented by Sarpay’s occasional flute, which strives to find joy in the sadness all around. The other focus being on Louis’ hypnotic bass lines and minimalistic percussion, Taurus Asleep is a consummate lesson in less is more. This song is cast adrift in nothingness, quite the meditative spoonful. The rebirth follows, Doff slowly awakening in the blackness on an ascending organ figure that recalls psychedelic era Soft Machine, guided by Louis’ driving bass line.
This album is a departure from predictable and frankly uninspiring prog normalcy but sadly stars, plants & bugswill achieve a mere sliver of the attention granted to musically lesser but more populist works, such is the way of the world. If like me you tire of the endless river of repeated rock tropes, struck by fear in a time machine and fancy something a bit different, but I hasten to add, thoroughly approachable, try this charming little oddity.
TRACK LISTING
01. Opening: Petrified Wood #1 (4:16)
02. Gemini – Part 1: Castor (Yin) (8:54)
03. Insect Party (AKA Soundfreeze #2) (6:48)
04. Nanobot (4:44)
05. Green Hojary (6:47)
06. Gemini – Part 2: Pollux (Yang) (9:25)
07. Taurus Asleep (13:15)
08. Doff (4:11)
09. Malt (6:25)
10. Closing: Petrified Wood #2 (3:15)
Total time – 67:59
MUSICIANS
Louis De Mieulle (Louison) – Fender Bass
Matt Garstka – Drums, Glockenspiel (7)
Casimir Liberski – Keyboards
Sarpay Özçagatay – Flute
Tareq Rantisi – Percussion
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Dalang! Records
Catalogue#: Dalang! 2015-001
Year Of Release: 2015
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Progressor
May 06, 2015
Olav M Bjornsen
Louis de Mieulle - 2011 - "Defense Mechanisms"
TRACK LIST: 1. Scapegoat-1 7:32 2. Scapegoat-2 4:32 3. Electric Cell Mutations 7:42 4. Skuld 6:42 5. Soundfrieze 7:42 6. The Ladybug and the Cockchafer 5:55 7. The Taste of Filth 11:32 8. Portrait de Famille 9:09 9. Solitude 5:28 LINEUP: Louis de Mieulle – bass; keyboards Casimir Liberski – keyboards Matt Garstka – drums
Prolusion. Musician and composer Louis de MIEULLE has his background from France, where he got his education and was a part of the local music scene prior to relocating to the US a few years back. In the US he has formed and is a member of several band constellations, and has also instigated a solo career, with two albums to his name so far. "Defense Mechanisms" is the first of these, and was self-released in 2011.
Analysis. The most notable aspect of this production to take initial note of is that this is an instrumental excursion, and the second one is that this is a production primarily aimed towards a jazz-interested audience. While there are tendencies in other directions, the compositions on this album will by and large be much more at home in the jazz department than in any others. As such a certain fondness for instrumental jazz is a prerequisite to be able to enjoy the material presented here. Just about all the compositions here revolve around certain key features. Mieulle's bass provides a solid backbone to the proceedings, perhaps with a tad more room for bass soloing than on other jazz albums made by a trio constellation, and his main style of delivery is a tight and compact one. A more booming and dominant aspect of the bass guitar is presented on occasion, and more careful resonating notes, often supplementing in establishing a more unnerving or a warmer and organic atmosphere, are the main alternate modes of delivery presented. Drummer Garstka gives an emphasis to the tight and controlled aspect of this production, the tight and interwoven cooperation between bass and drums throughout possibly a reason for Mieulle himself to draw certain parallels towards math rock as far as this specific production goes. The use of repeated themes and cyclical arrangements also adding a certain emphasis to this dimension. Pianist Liberski is arguably the star of this production however. The manner in which he shifts between tight, controlled movements and more free-flowing and improvisational escapades adds life to these compositions, a feeling of liberty and freedom reigned in and then let loose. While bass and drums ultimately set the standard for the territories explored, it's the manner in which the piano movements hover on top of that backbone that creates the greater amount of nerve and tension here, in addition to the supplemental keyboards that is. Especially in the first half of this CD additional keyboards and sounds are used to further enrich the moods and atmospheres explored, at times used in a manner that does add a touch of jazz rock to the proceedings. Personally I was most taken by these compositions, and the opening threesome of Scapegoat-1, Scapegoat-2 and Electric Cell Mutations are the tracks I'd recommend jazz rock fans to lend an ear to.
Conclusion. Instrumental jazz with the piano as the central instrument and with a distinct bassist given room to shine is what Louis de Mieulle provides us on his first solo production "Defense Mechanisms". Many of the songs explore moods of a darker and subtly unnerving kind, and do touch upon jazz rock-oriented territories on occasion, too. Ultimately, this is a production with much more jazz than rock to it however, and those with an interest for instrumental jazz trios with drums, bass and piano as the key instruments would appear to be the main audience for this disc.
OMB=Olav M Bjornsen: May 6, 2015
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Music Waves
June 24, 2013
Corto
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Louis de Mieulle - Stars, Plants & Bugs
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TAGs :
Expérimental, Fusion, Groovy, Instrumental, Planant
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Ecrit par Corto1809 le 24.06.2013
On ne va pas se le cacher, Louis De Mieulle, petit frenchy parti vivre outre-Atlantique, n'a pas choisi la voie de la facilité pour son premier album solo. Amateurs de chansonnettes, de mélodies limpides ou de riffs bien gras, votre lecture s'arrête ici. Le reste ne vous intéressera pas.
Non, pour apprécier "Defense Mechanisms", il faut avoir l'oreille aventureuse et le goût du bizarre. Aimer les libertés, les grands espaces, les musiques qui évoluent sans cadre, les breaks rythmiques insolites, les boucles entêtantes, les dissonances parfois, bien que rares. La musique reste indescriptible (le disque est entièrement instrumental), fusion entre jazz, free jazz, jazz-rock, avant-garde et musique sérielle pour les lignes principales. Une musique qui vous remplit la tête d'images, si vous n'avez pas fui avant la fin du premier morceau. Une musique qui a un curieux pouvoir apaisant malgré l'enchainement de ses rythmes syncopés, l'ostinato de certains passages, ses fougues bruitistes et une complexité d'écriture avérée.
Pour exemple, 'Electric Cell Mutations' est décrit par l'auteur comme l'évolution des motifs par inversion, augmentation, superposition dans un processus intellectuel et géométrique. Le profane entendra une musique débridée et évolutive qui finit par se structurer autour des arabesques élégantes du piano. Un titre qui ressemble par certains côtés à Hatfield And The North. Il faut dire que Louis de Mieulle a de solides références : diplômé en composition classique du Conservatoire National de Paris, de l'école de jazz American School Of Modern Music et du Berklee College of Music à Boston, un pédigrée qui inspire le respect. Pour l'accompagner, Matt Garstka qui joue de la batterie depuis l'âge de huit ans et Casimir Liberski, pianiste de jazz précoce et doué.
Avec un tel casting, on se doute que la musique est tout sauf simpliste. La virtuosité est de rigueur mais, loin de se perdre dans un onanisme musical de mauvais aloi, le trio emmène l'auditeur aux confins du rêve dans un voyage musical inspiré et dépaysant. Certes, certaines longueurs ne sont pas évitées et quelques passages ardus nécessitent de la persévérance. Mais si les mélodies sont difficilement mémorisables, l'écoute reste agréable grâce à la fluidité des lignes mélodiques et la chaleur de l'interprétation.
En dépit de toutes ses qualités, "Defense Mechanisms" reste un album à réserver aux amateurs de jazz, de jazz rock ou aux assoiffés de virtuosité. Ceux-là, et ceux-là seulement, auront la patience nécessaire pour décoder les arcanes labyrinthiques d'une musique souvent déroutante qui n'oublie cependant pas d'être somptueuse.
Note: 4/5
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Clair & Obscur
June 02, 2013
Philippe Vallin
Louis de Mieulle – Defense Mechanisms
2 JUIN 2013 JAZZ FUSION & ELECTRO-JAZZ
Titre: Defense Mechanisms
Groupe/artiste: Louis de Mieulle
Sortie: 2011
Label: Autoproduction
Louis de Mieulle n'est pas totalement inconnu du lectorat de Clair & Obscur puisque le jeune bassiste et compositeur français est l'un des membres de l'émérite Casimir Liberski Trio, une formation jazz éclectique et avant-gardiste, dont l'unique album "The Caveless Wolf" compte parmi nos grands coups de cœur de ces derniers mois. A l'image de son complice pianiste originaire de Belgique, Louis est à la fois un virtuose confirmé et un insatiable créatif, avec un parcours finalement assez proche qui débute par un apprentissage précoce de l'art musical. A l'âge de 7 ans, le petit Louis manipule déjà l'imposant violoncelle, et son cursus le conduira au Conservatoire National de Paris (formation classique) puis à l'American School (jazz), avant de traverser l'Atlantique pour s'en aller poursuivre avec succès ses études musicales au Berklee College of Music de Boston. C'est là-bas qu'il rencontre un autre lauréat, le pianiste Casimir Liberski, point de départ d'une longue et fructueuse collaboration artistique, sans oublier sa contribution à divers projets plus où moins liées au jazz (citons par exemple le collectif Soul'D Out basé à Harlem, avec son style explosif combinant la soul, la funk et le gospel). En France, Louis de Mieulle forme Soundchaser, un groupe de jazz pointu au son spatial et groovy, et participe par ailleurs à divers projets plus "mainstream" dans les milieux rock et hip-hop, parmi lesquels une collaboration avec Lulu Gainsbourg (le fils du grand Serge donc), que Louis accompagnera à la guitare basse sur sa tournée 2011.
La même année, le musicien enregistre "Defense Mechanisms" à Williamsburg (quartier de New-York pour les connaisseurs), son premier album "solo" qui fait appel aux contributions de l'américain Matt Garstka derrière les fûts et de Casimir Liberski au piano et claviers, également portés au crédit de nôtre (décidément !) très doué bassiste multi-instrumentiste. Si l'esthétique instrumentale est ici globalement plus homogène et plus "électrique" que sur "The Caveless Wolf", réalisé l'année suivante avec un line-up quasi-identique, chacune des 9 compositions inclues dans l'album affiche une forte personnalité, avec un caractère unique et une structure propre. Le style général est incroyablement varié, assez indescriptible et riche de nombreuses influences parfaitement digérées, qui feront le bonheur des mélomanes curieux et exigeants. "Defense Mechanisms" sonne comme un mélange détonnant et alambiqué de jazz moderne résolument avant-gardiste et d'effluves jazz-rock-fusion des années 70, avec ces mêmes couleurs délicieusement "vintage", parfois proches de la fameuse école dite "de Canterbury" (Hatfield And The North, National Health, Gilgamesh, etc).
Dans ce maelstrom de rythmes (pour ne pas dire "polyrythmies", avec en point d'orgue le trippant et mystérieux "Soundfrieze", jubilatoire à souhait !), de notes et de climats changeants, il y a aussi un petit quelque-chose emprunté à la vaste et étrange généalogie du "rock in opposition". En témoignent par exemple "Electric Cell Mutations" ou encore "Portrait De Famille", dont les passages dissonants évoquent aussi bien les expériences d'un King Cimson en mode exploratoire que les folles digressions des Sotos, Present ou Deus Ex machina, en plus typiquement "jazz" toutefois. Mais attention aux références : loin de moi en effet l'idée d'assimile l'album à une œuvre de rock prog, même si le caractère "progressif" de cette musique particulièrement sophistiquée et en constante mouvance (mention spéciale au fleuve et labyrinthique "The Taste Of Filth"), est tout à fait indéniable.
Au final, "Defense Mechanisms" est un album très écrit, brillamment composé et à l'exécution on ne peut plus maitrisée et organique, où aucun instrument, pas même la basse volubile de son maître d'œuvre (au son tantôt rond, tantôt incisif) ne vient se tailler la part du lion. A l'occasion de son premier essai transformé, Louis de Mieulle délivre avec ses deux acolytes une musique passionnante et à la précision redoutable, un premier opus entre ombre et lumière dont le caractère expérimental ne laisse pourtant aucune place à un quelconque sentiment de froideur ou d'hermétisme. De la musique "intello" avec de la mélodie, de l'émotion, et beaucoup de feeling en quelque-sorte ! Si si, c'est possible, la preuve…
Philippe Vallin (9/10)
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Dutch Progressive Rock Page
May 29, 2012
Roger Trenwith
Louis De Mieulle – Defense Mechanisms
Country of Origin:France/USA
Format:CD
Record Label:Independent
Catalogue #:N/A
Year of Release:2011
Time:66:20
Info:Louis De Mieulle
Samples:Click here
Tracklist: Scapegoat 1 [Projection] (7:32), Scapegoat 2 [Displacement] (4:32), Electric Cell Mutations (7:42), Skuld (6:42), Soundfrieze (7:42), The Ladybug And The Cockchafer (5:55), The Taste Of Filth (11:32), Portrait De Famille (9:09), Solitude (5:28)
A graduate of the National Conservatory Of Paris (classical writing), and the American School (jazz) and finally of the Berklee School Of Music in Boston, USA, Louis De Mieulle is a highly accomplished electric bass player who has also formed his own “jazz-groove” band Soundchaser in France, and worked with Serge Gainsborough’s son Lulu, as well as playing in more mainstream projects to pay the rent.
Defense Mechanisms was recorded in New York in 2011 and is his first album under his own name. Louis is joined by American drummer Matt Garstka who comes from a more rock/fusion based background, and Belgian jazz keyboard player Casimir Liberski, also a graduate of Berklee Music School, and the first thing to notice is that there are no six string guitars on this album, Louis also contributing his own occasional keyboards. I won’t let that put me off too much; after all it was good enough for most of the career of Soft Machine.
Unlike the Canterbury luminaries, Louis and his cohorts have produced an album that is far more jazz based than anything Ratledge and company came up with, being, I would hazard a guess, far more technically competent musicians. That is not to say this is soulless, far from it. Polyrhythmic and complex the piano and bass fire off each other, and fly apart only to come together seamlessly on Skuld (a Norse goddess of destiny apparently) before a display of dazzling virtuosity by Louis on the bass.
Syncopation, arpeggio, and probably many other more obscure musical terms I wouldn’t even attempt to kid you that I have knowledge of feature throughout, and the result is an engaging and sometimes challenging, but always entertaining listen. The notes to Soundfrieze quote a poem by Lautréamont extolling the virtues of mathematics, and the song is built on precise structures that come to conclusions, before extrapolating into infinite and quantum musical corollaries. Is there such a thing as “math-jazz”? I’ve no idea, but it will have you tapping your toe and scratching your head at one and the same time.
The song notes are as esoteric as the music, and The Ladybug And The Cockchafer is introduced with - “Ladybug (piano) teaches a song to Cockchafer (organ). Scarab (bass) intervenes – he’s jealous. The two lovers then proceed with a duet. Cockchafer is so happy that he goes into a generous improvisation. But Skuld underhandedly decides to end all this nonsense.” – which says it at least as well as I could. This one is also my favourite track on the CD, a lovely and complete piece of music. Who needs guitars?
The longest track on the album, Taste The Filth extemporises on a dissonant piano chord sequence, winding its way through a multi-rhythmic labyrinth of stunning complexity, the bass and piano dancing round each other like crazed fireflies. Solo piano in a lounge-jazz mood soothes the mood, the melodic theme maintained by the bass before morphing into a sinuous funky bass passage, presaging the return of dissonance, the piece showing the chops of the ensemble to full effect.
Solitude ends the album with a solo bass improv that dabbles in Indian scales, and is a fitting and calming end to the album. The fact that what is essentially a bass solo lasting for over six minutes can maintain one’s interest is indication of Louis’ high musical capabilities and ear for a melody.
Although definitely not “prog”, and certainly aimed at the jazz market, Defense Mechanisms is certainly intriguing enough to appeal to those of us into the more synapse-stretching end of the prog spectrum, but it is also direct enough to be accessible.
Conclusion: 7 out of 10
ROGER TRENWITH
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Sea Of Tranquility
April 01, 2012
Jon Neudorf
French musician Louis De Mieulle was born and raised in Paris and at an early age started playing the cello. Before moving to the United States he graduated from National Conservatory of Music and The American School of Modern Music. Once in the US he obtained a degree from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. He is now based out of New York City. Those are impressive credentials and it shows on his first solo album Defense Mechanisms.
The band consists of Mieulle (bass, keyboards), Matt Garstka (drums) and Casimir Liberski (piano, keyboards). Mieulle's brand of jazz takes the listener into other territories such as fusion and the avant-garde, which makes for an absorbing and interesting listen. Mieulle's bass work is a highlight throughout and the music is quite spacious, allowing all the instruments to shine in a clear and concise way.
Songs like "Scapegoat 1" and "Scapegoat 2" show off Mieulle's deep bass grooves and Garstka's free flowing polyrhythmic structures on the drums. Both tunes settle into a cool sound which I found to be strangely hypnotic and trance-like. The second tune is a bit slower offering a more minimalistic approach. The strangely titled "Electric Cell Mutations" is more chaotic with fuzzier bass tones and dreamy cascades of piano lines with elements of fusion creeping into the mix.
One of the more interesting tracks is the trippy "Soundfrieze". Cool effects and spacey textures give this one a more experimental feel while staying within the confines of jazz. "The Taste of Filth" is the album's longest song showcasing outstanding piano, bass and drums. Garstka's complicated polyrhythms are a definite highlight and the song does a fine job blending slight harmonic discord with some outstanding melodies.
Defense Mechanisms is a fine debut which I whole heartedly recommend for jazz listeners searching for something a little different.
Track Listing:
1. Scapegoat 1 (7:32)
2. Scapegoat 2 (4:32)
3. Electric Cell Mutations (7:42)
4. Skuld (6:42)
5. Soundfrieze (7:42)
6. The Ladybug and the Cockchafer (5:55)
7. The Taste of Filth (11:32)
8. Portrait de Famille (9:09)
9. Solitude (5:28)
Added: April 1st 2012
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Official Site
Hits: 1055
Language: english
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