Search - Zeus Faber :: Scubason

A jazzy tapestry of the undersea realms.

04/15/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Inspiring, romantic, and soulful, this debut album by Zeus Faber (the association of jazz keyboardist Olivier Truan and spacemusic composer and former scuba diver Tristan Felbauer) is a tribute to the Chameleon of the deep seas (the Zeus Faber) who leads a solitary life in the world of Scubason. Scubason (the sound of the deep) is a pure tapestry of nautical sounds, electronic ambiences, and emotive solo performances, which dwells closer to the mystery of the undersea world. Truan and Feldbauer bring a wealth of associate musicians from Basel to blend sophisticated musical arrangements with kinetic keyboard and saxophone performances. Musically, Scubason wanders the depths of the ocean with delighful ambient atmospherics and free jazzy sections. While soprano saxophone and piano may dominate the solo stage of Scubason, virtuoso clarinet, flute, violin, arco bass, accordion, and melodica build into European-styled scenes reminiscent of Mediterranean childhood stories. Michael Heitzler's intense clarinet solo building through the liquid waltz Stella Mare, and Niki Reiser's charming flute melody sweeping over the groove of Land of the Mermaids feature the loveliest moments of this undersea cruise. Scubason is a refreshing album which pours a tonic splash of jazz in a cocktail of nautical ambiences."