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Faton: La Fievre Monte (CD, 62:42) 1999 GW 3102-AR
Great Winds
4145 Byron Street
Palo Alto, CA 94306

Another day, another jazz album from an ex-Magma musician.  A few weeks ago
it was saxophonist Yochk'o Seffer Big Band’s release – a wild and crazy trip
through the land of Jazz In Opposition titled YOG 3.  Today we’ve got
pianist Faton Cahen’s latest entitled La Fievre Monte, a release that
comes nowhere close to Seffer’s effort in either musicianship or musical
effectiveness.  Where Yochk’o was willing to plow his way through thick
layers of discordant and disturbing song structures, Cahen seems content to
wade through cliché ridden lounge jazz that is not really fitting for
someone with his pedigree.

One of the things I would expect out of an ex-Magma musician is them being
surrounded by top-notch players with chops that’ll knock your socks off.
Unfortunately, on “La Fievre Monte,” the music performances are almost all
incredibly lackluster – with the exception of violinist Nicolas Krassik’s
work, the musicianship here is downright dull.  While I’d imagine that these
guys can indeed play their instruments at a high rate of skill, they just
can’t seem to get it together enough to keep things interesting on La
Fievre Monte.  There is simply nothing here to challenge the listener;
this music would serve well as background music at a nice restaurant, but I
don’t think I’d be happy if I paid money to listen to the songs on this
release.

It’s hard to pick out a particular bright spot on La Fievre Monte -
not because it’s an AWFUL release, but because all the songs are just as
mediocre as the next.  Drummer Bonny and violinist Krassik have a pretty
good trade-off on the number “La guerre des homes”, and the band seems to
come to life momentarily on this track.  But, it’s a short-lived victory, as
the following track – “Les anges d’Epinal” sends the album spiraling back
into the land of dinner entertainment.

La Fievre Monte is a very disappointing release from a guy who I
expected more from – when an ex-Magma member releases a CD you at least
expect something INTERESTING.  Faton Cahen does not deliver the goods at all
on this release, and unless you’ve got a real hankering for some mindless
lounge music, I’d strongly recommend that you save your $15 and skip this
one.  Instead, take a trip to any local ritzy hotel bars, and you’ll pretty
much hear the same thing for less money.

- Michael Askounes (michael@gscyclone.com)

PERSONNEL:
Olivier Bonny: Batterie
Faton Cahen: Piano
Thierry Colson: Contrebasse
Charly Doll: Percussions
Nicolas Krassik: Violon

TRACKLIST:
1.  La fièvre monte (8:10)
2.  Colibri (4:48)
3.  Cuba si (8:30)
4.  La grenouille du Gange (4:30)
5.  Un métro pour Baños (5:34)
6.  Les duex Jokers (4:20)
7.  Valse pour Simone et Jacques (4:20)
8.  Fatango (5:12)
9.  La guerre des hommes (4:52)
10. Les anges d’Epinal (6:16)
11. Samedizuit (3:20)



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