| Jazz |
The Three Musketeers of ACT Records Return for a Third Season—And It’s Still a Delight
The three musketeers of ACT Records are back for a third season, and the magic remains intact—a rich cultural blend of three inspired musicians, including the French virtuoso Richard Galliano, who accompanied the late French jazz singer Claude Nougaro for many years. Though Nougaro passed away in 2004, his voice still resonates on Bayou Blue Radio. Joining Galliano are Paolo Fresu, whose trumpet graces John De Leo’s album Tomato Pelosi (which I reviewed last month here), and Jan Lundgren, whose stunning duet album with Yamandu Costa, Inner Spirits, remains a must-listen—I previously reviewed it here.
On this fourth opus from this magical trio, we witness a deeply refined work. Having spent years touring and recording together, these musicians have reached a level of artistic communion that far surpasses their previous albums. Each player seamlessly serves the music, adapting to the needs of each piece with arrangements that are nothing short of breathtaking—particularly on the track Hidden Truth. What began in 2005 as an experiment—three concerts in Sweden bringing together a triumvirate of European jazz luminaries—has, over the past two decades, evolved into one of the most distinctive ensembles embodying the “Sound of Europe.” Sardinian trumpeter Paolo Fresu, French accordionist Richard Galliano, and Swedish pianist Jan Lundgren weave musical narratives through Mare Nostrum, telling stories that traverse the northernmost reaches to the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean. Their fusion of influences—ranging from folk and classical to popular music—meets the boundless freedom of jazz.
In Mare Nostrum IV, the twelve pieces composed or arranged by Fresu, Galliano, and Lundgren for one another unfold like cinematic vignettes, shifting between Nordic melancholy and Mediterranean warmth. It is a sea of sound, an oasis of beauty where souls resonate in unison, reminding us of our deeper bonds. In these uncertain times, such connection is more precious than ever. These compositions exude nostalgia, romance, and poetry—some may even call them excessive in their sentimentality—but no matter. When jazz of this caliber opens its arms to a broader audience with melodies that are both accessible and profoundly moving, one would be mad to resist.
A touch of Parisian charm appears with yet another rendition of La Vie en Rose—perhaps an attempt to internationalize the album. Yet even without this effort, the record stands firmly on its own, bolstered by its exquisite compositions. The arrangements here are particularly delightful, and it is a joy to hear this trio return time and again, knowing their journey began as nothing more than an impromptu concert in 2005. It was never meant to last—but after hundreds of performances worldwide and waves of acclaim rolling in like flocks of birds on the horizon, this trio has been all but institutionalized through their successive albums.
A well-crafted album, like a great film, is structured with a beginning, a middle, and an end. Such is the case here, culminating in a beautifully crafted finale where each artist takes center stage in turn. Without a doubt, this is an indispensable album for all lovers of beauty.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, February 26th 2025
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