(Avant-Garde Jazz, Jazz-Funk) Rodolphe Lauretta - Raw - 2017, MP3, 320 kbps

Raw illustrates well the sound of this chordless trio which consists of a saxophone, a double bass and a drums. They display deep grooves and a powerful sound, an intimate sense of detail along with raw energy.
The Raw trio was founded in 2012 during an informal session. After a promising first concert, the band has been able to develop the music during a residency at Bab Ilo Jazz club in Paris.
Although it's rooted in the vast tradition of jazz, the sound of the trio is resolutely contemporary, convoking the spirit of rock, hip-hop, and funk. Those influences are never forced but rather come out naturally in the compositions.
" I used re-recording of saxophone, voice and bass on certain tunes which required it, but the main part of the album is a chordless trio, a format I've always enjoyed. Composing for a group with no chordal instrument requires finding original solutions in the writing process".
« When I first thought of doing a session with these musicians, I wanted to see what would come out by bringing together Damien Varaillon and Arnaud Dolmen. Damien comes from a jazz background, and Arnaud has played a lot of carribean music, but also oriental jazz and pop. Damien is very solid, and a refined melodist. Arnaud spits fire through drums, he's got a great energy. I'm more the dreamer. Together we're like Earth, Wind & Fire"!
Both Arnaud and Damien are very busy sidemen (with Jacques Schwarz Bart, Lisa Simone...) and Arnaud has his own band now, so I'm lucky they were willing to invest time to prepare this recording.
I invited some great artists as guest musicians on this album : the promising young singer Charlotte Wassy, Olivier Laisney on trumpet, and the incredible MC/saxophonist Soweto Kinch, one of UK's main jazz artist.
Born in Amiens, France, Rodolphe Lauretta started music as a teenager, first as a self taught. He played in local reggae, funk and rock bands. He opened for reggae greats Burning Spears and the Gladiators with the band Ouroub. He then attended the jazz workshop and the big band classes at the Amiens conservatory of music.
When he moved to Paris, he began following jazz classes at various conservatories, and started to play in the main jazz clubs of the capital (Sunset , Le Baiser Salé, New Morning) with his bands and as a sideman.
His musical curiosity led him to play with legendary guadeloupean pianist Alain Jean-Marie, with Kelin kelin Orchestra, an afro jazz ensemble led by master camerounese drummer Brice Wassy and saxophonist jean-Jacques Elangué, with the afro american Mc's Akua Naru, with the Poet/MC Mike Ladd among others.
Besides the Raw Trio, he also leads The Jazz side Of Madlib, a quintet inspired by hip hop artist Madlib. He has performed in Jazz A Vienne festival, Jazz sous les Pommiers, Jazzellerault festival...