Monsieur MÂLÂ

Monsieur MÂLÂ, a Parisian jazz fusion quintet, emerges from the shadows of supporting roles for musicians like Blick Bassy, Mayra Andrade, Ibrahim Maalouf, and China Moses. Transitioning from accompanists to front and centre, Swaéli Mbappé, Yoann Danier, Nicholas Vella, Balthazar Naturel and Robin Antunes now take centre stage, collectively forming a group of stylistically diverse voices that enhance and enrich the compositions of each individual.

The eclectic ensemble boasts a distinctive lineup, featuring mandolin and violin alongside saxophone and synths. The self-titled album seamlessly navigates a spectrum of styles, incorporating everything from jazz, funk, traditional West African styles, samba, soul and pop. The cohesiveness of the record is remarkable considering the distinct styles of each member and how the record as a whole evolves dynamically from start to finish. ‘All My Life’ emerges as a dark soul number, heightened by the edgy, sumptuous vocals of Anna Kova, while ‘Al Fayhaa’ is quite simply a masterpiece, oscillating between softly-sung melodies and frantic, dissonant violin passages.

Although it is composed, Monsieur MÂLÂ’s passion for improvisation resonates throughout the record, infusing it with a sense of unpredictability and maintaining an ambient allure without fading into the background. A very impressive debut.