Rachel Therrien - Dialogue vol. 1
- M Media jazz
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
DIALOGUE Vol 1
Rachel Therrien & Albert Marquès
Co-created by Quebec trumpeter Rachel Therrien and Catalan pianist Albert Marquès, Dialogue vol. I is a radical, intimate, and audacious work. Released at the end of 2025, this 15-track opus pushes the boundaries of pure improvisation through an instrumental duet of rare intensity.
A symbiosis forged over time
The greatest strength of this album lies in the raw, instant chemistry between the two artists. Drawing on a friendship and collaboration spanning more than ten years, Therrien and Marquès don't need rigid scores to understand each other. The album unfolds like a spontaneous conversation where listening to one another takes precedence over individual performance. The absence of a traditional rhythm section (bass and drums) offers total freedom, but also exposes the musicians to absolute vulnerability.
Between atonal exploration and hypnotic grooves
Musically, Dialogue – Vol. I refuses to be confined to a single genre. The listener is constantly navigating by sight:
● Free improvisation: Unlike Volume II, which revisits standards, this first volume was almost entirely created live in the studio. The pieces oscillate between atonal contemporary music and explosive free jazz.
● Extended textures: Rachel Therrien impresses by using her trumpet and flugelhorn beyond academic techniques, exploring breaths, silences, and muted textures.
● Underlying influences: Marquès' piano brings superb hues from flamenco, modern classical music and Afro-Latin syncopations, creating captivating organic structures.
IN SUMMARY
This album can be demanding for the uninitiated: the absence of predictable melodies and the focus on pure sonic exploration may unsettle fans of more conventional or mainstream jazz. But on the other hand, it possesses a disarming authenticity that will certainly appeal to many. The stripped-down production gives the impression of being right there in the studio beside them. The artistic synergy is exemplary; Dialogue – Vol. I is an album for discerning listeners that magnificently rewards the effort. It's a fascinating dive into real-time creation, driven by two improvisers at the peak of their rapport. A work that is both cerebral and imbued with profound lyricism.
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