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Welcome Fractale to jazzmusicarchives |
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js ![]() Forum Admin Group ![]() ![]() Site admin Joined: 22 Dec 2010 Location: Memphis Status: Offline Points: 34714 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posted: 03 Nov 2011 at 11:19am |
Fractale has just joined our site and they want to share their press kit which should be appearing in this thread soon.
Bienvenue Fractale!
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js ![]() Forum Admin Group ![]() ![]() Site admin Joined: 22 Dec 2010 Location: Memphis Status: Offline Points: 34714 |
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Whoa, we had to remove the press release that I passed to Slava because it was causing problems to the system.
If the band wants to post something here, they are welcome to.
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Sean Trane ![]() Forum Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: 19 Apr 2011 Location: Brussels Status: Offline Points: 789 |
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^^^
maybe the introduction of that document sparked the bug we were facing yesterday (and given the amount of posts for today... it's maybe still not over)
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my music collection increased tenfolds when I switched from drug-addicted musicians to crazy ones....
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Fractale ![]() Forum Newbie ![]() Joined: 05 Nov 2011 Status: Offline Points: 5 |
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Fractale-"Suranné" This is a short but wonderful EP that can be easily loved by any progressive rock fan. And it is not common that I start with a phrase like that, actually I would finish my review with it, but this time I did it the other way around because I have truly enjoyed this album every single time I’ve listened to it, and believe me, there have been at least 10 so far. Fractale is the project of French sax player Julian Julien, who with the help of some friends and of course high-quality musicians have created a wonderful mixture of rock fusion with spacey textures. This EP entitled “Suranné” consists of five live pieces which does not really have a name, and two bonus tracks. Actually, and it is worth mentioning, this is like a taste of Fractale’s sound, since Julien have created a bunch of songs that can (and should) be listened in a row, without any distraction, in order to have the feeling of being reading a book or watching a movie, I mean, the images created by the music are countless, all depends on the listener. “Suranné” sadly is pretty short, I always have that empty space where I am asking for more, but as I said, this is only a taste of their sound, and what a taste! It opens with “Partie XV”, and since the fist seconds we will listen to that jazz oriented sound, with lots of wind instruments, percussion and synthesizers. The music is really friendly; it will put a smile on you, and surely will make you move your body. I cannot help but enjoying it. “Partie VI” has a slower rhythm, but it is full of atmospheres and spacey effects that in moments remind me of Daevid Allen’s Gong. This also sounds like an improvisation, and it is the shortest piece of the album. “Partie V” is wonderful, with a rich blend of winds and electronic elements that together create new images, atmospheres and nuances. The different trumpets and saxophones do not really sound jammed, them all sound clean and clear, one can easily recognize each one of them. This is one of my favorite tracks! With “Partie XVI” the band follows the same line, but this time they have quite an addictive sound. The name of Gong springs to my mind once again, which does not mean I am comparing them, not at all, but they might have been an influence. You will have four minutes of addiction, of craziness and adventure, but the sad thing is that it all of a sudden finishes, when you are totally caught by its sound. The concert part finishes with “Partie XVIII” which is another cool song, but with a slower and more melancholic sound, like announcing the end. I would have really loved to hear more of this bunch of live parts, it would be a complete trip. The last two additional songs are “Sans Papiers” and “Clementine” which together make the final ten minutes of this EP. The road is practically the same, cool and addictive rhythms, excellent blend of jazz with space and electronic elements; wonderful winds and constant drums. What a pity it ends so soon, but well, the only thing I can do is waiting for a full-length release and why not, to see them live someday. Highly recommendable! Enjoy it! Guillermo Hernández Urdapilleta October 27, 2011 Prog-sphere |
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js ![]() Forum Admin Group ![]() ![]() Site admin Joined: 22 Dec 2010 Location: Memphis Status: Offline Points: 34714 |
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Fractale ![]() Forum Newbie ![]() Joined: 05 Nov 2011 Status: Offline Points: 5 |
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Review Merlinprog
Fractale -"Suranné" Saxophonist and composer, Julian Julian has a quite impressive academic background with the Conservatoire National de la Région de Paris (The National Regional Conservatory in Paris). Before the group Fractale saw the day, this young, talented man released three solo albums that really captivated critical attention. The work "Strange," in particular, from 2006, must be part of any decent music collection. In this new album, "Live Suranné", he takes us through a musical journey rich with a diverse, very exciting, intense, and deliciously varied music. Julian also has a fairly original approach of music since the septet, Fractale, consists of three saxophones, two trumpets, a tuba and drums! When the composition is done this well, it really becomes progressive music in stark contrast to all the music called prog, which recycles old ideas and does not innovate. On the contrary, Fractale renovates and explores unknown musical territories, and they often do so with such elegance that it is truly a delight. It is also a delight to hear that Julian Julien listens to a lot of Nils Petter Molvær! Other sources of inspiration are Stravinsky, the album Mekanïk Destruktïẁ Kommandöh of Magma, Bach, Keith Jarrett, Soft Machine, Michel Portal, Ravel and some of the early Genesis and Pink Floyd. The disc includes five instrumental tracks and two bonus tracks recorded live in Paris at “Zèbre de Belleville,” a former movie theater that is now a theater and a place of celebration, fun and excitement. Indeed, party, fun and excitement are in many ways indicative of the lush music of "Live Suranné.” Rhythmic, “Live Suranné” offers something that is lush and vibrant, original and sometimes hypnotic. The “live” aspect allows the baritone saxophone and tuba to be reasonably electrified and "computerized" and essentially create sound landscapes that aren’t exactly common – sounds that some ears have never been exposed to (shocking!)- and thus, our progsensitive ears just love it. The use of instruments in innovative ways is always commendable, and when the result is this good, it's just wonderful to listen to. Moreover, they are also very good songs that are both catchy and psychedelic at the same time. Verses and refrains include many fun improvisations, solos and scathing riffs, and a great musicality. When the interaction is this great, it’s really the material for prog lovers, to say the least! Ulf Backstrom - Norway |
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Fractale ![]() Forum Newbie ![]() Joined: 05 Nov 2011 Status: Offline Points: 5 |
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Review Ytsejam
Fractale -"Suranné" Possessing a unique sound, France's Fractale bring about a horn driven sound with the experimental influence of King Crimson, Gong, and Soft Machine with a knack for more sophisticated free-form jazz ala Davis & Coltrane - yet the music is all about the groove, also giving into a jam-band vibe without being too 'out there.' Led by saxophonist Julian Julien, instead of leading the way with guitars, Floydian soundscapes, or dominating the music with synthesizers, Fractale brings about a full horn section - soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone sax, with two trumpets and a tuba, along with drums to bring out a powerful sound for something that is different and 'progressive' in the true form. Recorded live, Suranné features a five-part jam session utilizing harmonizing horns, building up to a powerful wall of sound, often creating chord structures to give the tunes 'body' rather than simply being a series of arpeggios. "Parte XV" opens the performance with its' funkified 'wah wah' baritone sax, leading up to the space rock of "Parte VI"& "Parte XVIII," then moving on to a Fripp/Eno style overtones of the electronic oriented "Parte V," and even portraying a more cinematic approach with "Parte XVI," sounding like a 70's action film theme with a massive psychedelic tinge. The performance itself, is well rounded with diversity, and shows what a band like this can actually do without any paint-by-numbers instrumentation. Also there are two bonus tracks, the jam session of "Sans Papiers" and the low end groove of "Clementine." The whole live vibe, brings about the organic vibe between the band, as the music has the unique Zappa styled improvisation, yet composed & conducted sound. Something different than what most bands are doing, and hails to Fractale for really attacking art rock genre with full fervor on their own terms. Tommy Hash - USA Edited by Fractale - 08 Nov 2011 at 2:57pm |
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Fractale ![]() Forum Newbie ![]() Joined: 05 Nov 2011 Status: Offline Points: 5 |
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Review Eurock
Fractale -"Suranné" Julian Julien is one of today's top French jazz musicians on the scene today. Saxophonist, composer extraordinaire, he placed first receiving the Silver Medal at the CNR in Paris. He played in several big bands before self-producing his first album, TUPPERWARE ET BIBELOT in 1999. That was followed by the excellent TERRE in 2000 for the Prikosnonevie label, then STRANGE for Cristal Records in 2006. After that he formed a new band called Fractale and recorded this Live album, SURANNÉ. Fractale is a septet composed of 3 saxophones, 2 trumpets, a tuba and drums. The music they make owes a slight debt to the pioneering Zeuhl movement. The music is propelled by deep bass lines, powerful ensemble melodies and fiery solos, but also contains deep soulful moments and subtle touches as well that gives the overall listening experience a much more diverse impact stylistically. If you long for the good old days of French fusion when the scene overflowed with experimental jazz rock then Fractal will be a real treat. Julian has a new music project for Japan in the works. Based on samples I've heard it should add a brand new dimension to his recorded catalog. Archie Patterson - USA Edited by Fractale - 08 Nov 2011 at 3:05pm |
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Matt ![]() Forum Admin Group ![]() ![]() Jazz Reviewer Joined: 16 Jan 2011 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 2527 |
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Hello to Fractale and congrats on the new Live EP. The use of a tuba sounds great. Is the tuba player keeping the time instead of Bass?
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Matt
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Kazuhiro ![]() Forum Admin Group ![]() ![]() Joined: 15 Jan 2011 Location: Tokyo, Japan Status: Offline Points: 3776 |
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Welcome to JMA.
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js ![]() Forum Admin Group ![]() ![]() Site admin Joined: 22 Dec 2010 Location: Memphis Status: Offline Points: 34714 |
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Hey Julian, those reviews look good. Thanks a lot.
Edited by js - 09 Nov 2011 at 5:29pm |
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Fractale ![]() Forum Newbie ![]() Joined: 05 Nov 2011 Status: Offline Points: 5 |
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Review "Autopoietican"
Fractale - "Suranné" Hoy es la ocasión de hablar del grupo francés de jazz-rock experimental FRACTALE, un proyecto dirigido por el bien recorrido saxofonista Julian Julien. FRACTALE dejó en el año pasado 2010 una estupenda constancia fonográfica de su visión musical con “Suranné”, un EP en vivo que dura menos de media hora, tiempo que resulta suficiente para demostrar su ingenio vitalista para la vanguardia jazzera de nuestros tiempos… ¡y también un tiempo demasiado corto para complacerse en el disfrute de esta peculiar belleza sónica! Los vientos ocupan un protagonismo nuclear en el sonido de FRACTALE, y no m refiero solamente al saxo de Julien, sino a todo un ensamble de metales que incluye a dos saxofonistas (Vivien Philippot y Jon Lopez de Vicuna), dos trompetistas (Patrice Cazeneuve y Jennifer Quillet) y el tubista Lorenz Steinmüller, ensamble que desarrolla sus motivos sobre la base rítmica de Benjamin Vairon y sampleos armados por el mismo Julien. Comenzamos con la secuencia de los cinco primeros temas. Durando casi 3 minutos, ‘Partie XV’ da inicio al disco con un colorido optimista sobre una contenida cadencia funky, un poco a lo WEATHER REPORT con aires de big band y su oportuna dosis moderada de psicodelia: el núcleo de la composición está indudablemente en esa arquitectura de los metales que porta una cualidad efusiva a través de su persistente vivacidad. Acto seguido emerge ‘Partie VI’ para plasmar una atmósfera muy diferente, armada sobre una calma siniestra, un coqueteo claro con la faceta más minimalista de la tradición chamber-rock, un momento de oscuridad antes de que ‘Partie V’ devuelva la vivacidad expuesta en el primer tema para capitalizarla con un dinamismo más contundente. Un aspecto adicional de esta ‘Partie V’ es que añade una cierta aureola de inquietud por obra y gracia de las envolventes capas de sintetizador desarrolladas a contrapelo de las orquestaciones de saxos; esto, combinado con la cadencia casi “mecanizada” de la base rítmica en sus aspectos más recurrentes, parece establecer nexos con ciertas modalidades del krautrock dentro de un bloque sonoro general que se mantiene firmemente asentado en la ideología jazz-rockera. En el caso de ‘Partie XVI’ sí tenemos un retorno en pleno al vigor colorido de ‘Partie XV’ que se hace eco de la intensidad especial de ‘Partie V’ pero sin mayores atisbos de inquietud. La labor de los saxos se siente más suelta, robusteciendo así los aires celebratorios sobre los que se construyó la idea compositiva. ‘Partie XVIII’ tiene un aire de elegía solemne, al modo de un bolero sinfónico que homenajea la gloria dichosa de una etapa pasada que dejó tras de sí una pesada carga de melancolía: un final estilizadamente explosivo para esta secuencia. Los dos últimos temas del disco son explícitamente designados como bonus tracks: para estos temas, los músicos de apoyo son Xavier Sibre (clarinete bajo y saxo), Francoise Favreau (batería), Yann Lupu (trompeta) y Laurent Dessaints (saxo). ‘Sans Paiers’ regresa al colorido ágil de los momentos más alegres de la secuencia precedente, estableciendo un interesante punto de encuentro entre el WEATHR REPORT de “Sweetnighter” y el SOFT MACHINE de “Seven”; por su parte, ‘Clémentine’ elabora una idea consistentemente nebulosa sobre una cadencia juguetonamente entrecortada, generando así una imagen sonora de oscura travesura para concluir el álbum, algo así como un “Zeuhl canterburizado” al modo de EGG. De este modo concluye “Suranné”, una exhibición del enorme talento e infatigable espíritu de aventura que Julian Julien exhibe como músico y compositor: este proyecto FRACTALE es, por cierto, un estupendo vehículo de expresión para exponer renovadoras modalidades de jazz vanguardista como ésta. Dijimos en el primer párrafo que menos de media hora era tiempo más que suficiente para que el genio musical se muestre de forma clara e inequívoca… pero cuando hay un repertorio tan bueno como éste… ¡¡qué corto se siente este tiempo!! César Inca Mendoza Loyola - PERU Edited by Fractale - 14 Nov 2011 at 8:06am |
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