French saxophonist Léon Phal releases superb new jazz-funk album ‘Stress Killer’
French saxophonist Léon Phal follows-up his 2021 debut recording Dust to Stars on Kyudo Records with a superb new LP, titled Stress Killer on Heavenly Sweetness, which brings together jazz and club culture.
The 10-track recording, blends together souring and soulful saxophone and trumpet lines with analog cosmic synths, and jazz-funk grooves, all with a nod to the dancefloor. Even though the album has strong techno (“Fuck Yeah” pays homage to the techno pioneers of Detroit and the deep house of Chicago) and hip-hop production influences (see the J Dilla inspired “Idylla”), remarkably their are no drum machines or samplers used in its creation. There is also a great interpretation of John Coltrane’s all-time classic “Naima” that feels right in place with the other material on the record.
Phal is backed on the session by a solid cast of musicians that include Zacharie Ksyk (Trumpet), Gauthier Toux (Keyboards), Rémi Bouyssière (Double Bass), and Arthur Alard (Drums), along with special guest vocals from Los Angeles-based singer Lorine Chia (“Something Inside”) and spoken word on “Idylla” by K.O.G.
Overall, an impressive release from one of the rising artists to continue to keep tabs on among the French new jazz scene.
Léon Phal — ‘Stress Killer’
(Heavenly Sweetness)
- Vibing in Ay
- Fuck Yeah
- Idylla (feat. K.O.G.)
- Balanced Action
- Something Inside (feat. Lorine Chia)
- Stress Killer
- Bongo 113
- Naima
- Same Human
- Clarity
