Rachel Therrien - Dialogue vol. II
- M Media jazz
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
DIALOGUE Vol II
Rachel Therrien & Albert Marquès
DIALOGUE VOL II by Quebec trumpeter Rachel Therrien and Catalan pianist Albert Marquès is a resounding success in the realm of minimalist jazz and free improvisation.
Released on January 30, 2026, on the Chronograph Records label, this second volume masterfully concludes a diptych begun a few months earlier. While the first volume ventured into experimental and sometimes demanding original compositions, Vol. II chooses to anchor itself in essential jazz standards, reinvented through the lens of an extraordinary rapport.
A Raw Artistic Symbiosis
The trumpet-piano duo format is one of the most challenging in jazz: without a rhythm section to mask any hesitations, the musicians are completely exposed. Therrien and Marquès transform this constraint into a raw strength. Drawing on ten years of friendship and collaboration, the two artists demonstrate absolute mutual trust. Every breath from Rachel Therrien, every nuance of her velvety flugelhorn, finds an instant echo in Marquès's subtle harmonies. Specialized critics, particularly on the PAN M 360 platform, hailed it upon its release as a "unique and inspiring artistic symbiosis."
Tradition mistreated… with love
The heart of this album lies in its playful and irreverent way of deconstructing the classics. Legendary pieces like Herbie Hancock's Watermelon Man, Dizzy Gillespie's A Night in Tunisia, and Duke Ellington's Caravan are stripped of their traditional structures.
● Stylistic audacity: The duo has fun, stretches time, and offers unexpected directions. The raw and soulful reinterpretation of the traditional song La Cucaracha testifies to Rachel Therrien's strong Latin influences, while maintaining an avant-garde approach.
● The range of emotions: The album constantly shifts between festive energy and profound melancholy. The track Abraham Lincoln Brigade, composed by the pianist, infuses a poignant, contemplative dimension, while their version of My Funny Valentine shines with its disarming intimacy.
An organic and authentic production
The recording is distinguished by its striking technical intimacy. The listener feels as if they are sitting right in the studio alongside the musicians. The click of the trumpet valves and the physical attack of Marquès' fingers on the keyboard are clearly audible, accentuating the sense of vulnerability and authenticity of the work.
IN SUMMARY
Dialogue – Vol. II is a remarkably mature album that proves one can honor the history of jazz while simultaneously breaking free from its conventions. It's a high-wire act of musical virtuosity, accessible through its repertoire and captivating in its freedom of execution. A must-have for lovers of refined jazz and sophisticated musical dialogue.
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