Musical translation is a rarely considered art form. Not exactly a cover version, it’s more of a reconsideration of the tune in a different context, such as Nirvana tunes as elevator muzak or Senor Coconut’s Latin take on Kraftwerk’s oeuvre. In this light why not legendary gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt’s music as light and breezy Brazilian inflected Bossa Nova tunes? Admittedly Django Brasil is not as knowingly kitsch as the aforementioned examples but there is an unmistakable element of playfulness here. Though also artistry. Frenchman Ludovic Beier is a maestro of the button accordion and he also plays the acordina – a harmonica with buttons. He’s incredibly adept at Django style swing jazz, playing with many of the current purveyors of the genre, though also at many Django Reinhardt tribute festivals. Yet there’s also another side to him, his own jazz quartet finds him playing cool and Latin influenced french jazz. So perhaps it’s not such a stretch to find his interests also extend to Brazilian music. He’s joined here by guitarist Samson Schmitt, himself a regular performer in the Manouche gypsy jazz scene, who somehow manages to wrap himself around some of Django’s more complex solos. Thierry Moncheny offers a more rhythm style guitar – some of the more overtly Brazilian influenced work here, and of course percussionist Matthieu Guillemant spends more time with shakers than anything else. Whilst Schmitt and Beier engage in a little baton swapping, just the very presence of the accordionist in the mix seems to alter everything for the better. Arrangements are changed, the music is slowed down a little at times, yet in this quartet’s hands there really is this unmistakable link between the worlds. For many taking to Django to Brazil is sacrilege, yet it’s done so lovingly here and by such great and reverential musicians that not only is the music not dumbed down, it actually elevates Django’s immortal songs, demonstrating their power and ability to breathe life into whichever genre you decide to throw them at.
Bob Baker Fish
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