Steeve LAFFONT - Alba Gitana

KaRu Prod

£26.10

Format: LP
Catalogue No.: KARU010
Release Date: 30 Jun 2023
Genre: Jazz / Gypsy jazz / Latin Gypsy Jazz

Tracklisting
A1 - Alba Gitana - Steeve Laffont
A2 - Keep Calm - Steeve Laffont
A3 - Jess Fusion - Steeve Laffont
A4 - Pour ma fille - Steeve Laffont
B1 - Dinello - Dominique Di Piazza
B2 - Groove for Costel - Steeve Laffont
B3 - Tchaï Funcky - Steeve Laffont
B4 - Everything happens to me - Matt Denis

It all begins here.

Alba Gitana, Gipsy dawn, is a commencement, a turning point of particular importance in the career of a guitarist labelled as “manouche”. Because despite the universality within that word, (“manu” meaning “man” in Sanskrit), it is often reduced to the almost mystical musical legacy of the genius Django Reinhardt. Steeve Laffont’s dawn sees his artistry break away from the confines of this tradition.

In his original compositions we find the ingredients for an unexpected recipe. There is a manouche feel to it, but the fragrance of flamenco mixes with Indian spices, the bossa nova breaks and klezmer rhythms are coloured by Spain ; Steeve finds comfort in both the journey and it’s unexpected turns. Such is the very essence of Tzigane culture. This album tells the story of an emancipation and the joy of no longer being held to respect a legacy, a tradition, of finally having so many more roots to grow with.

Freedom is key to this project which never compromises on the essential : sharing the pleasure of playing together. In the company of such virtuosos as Costel Nitescu on violin, Dominique Di Piazza on bass and of course the ever-faithful Rudy Rabuffetti on rhythm guitar, the compositions are never shows of strength, rather finely crafted magic tricks.

With such vivid, liquid playing Alba Gitana is an invitation to let go, to submit to a harmonic wandering as deep as it is wide. A high-wire walk between structures and freedom, here is the spirit of jazz at its most elegant and universal.

the line-up is as follows:
Steeve Laffont: guitars
Dominique Di Piazza: bass
Costel Nitescu: violin
Rudy Rabuffetti: second guitar