“Dialogues entre deux mondes … Je de Miroir” by Gaël Fromantin

‘He is a demanding man and his music is captivating.’ Thus ended the article on Jazz-Rhone-Alpes.com on 11-12 August 2023, after guitarist Gaël Fromantin‘s participation in BatÔjazz, a preview of the opening night, where the audience welcomed his music with rapt attention at the Château de Mécoras.

We appreciated the quality of the sound, the all-round technique, the modesty of the man himself and his almost symbiotic relationship with his instrument.

Since then, Gaël Fromantin’s projects have progressed well. From concert to concert, the guitarist finally took the plunge and recorded part of his repertoire, which is presented on a magnificent CD dressed all in black. From the shadows emerges the face of Gaël and his guitar (or the neck of his guitar), in a refined, minimalist aesthetic. And it is a very pure sound that you will hear in this ‘Je de Miroir’ (the title of the album), which perfectly defines the project: to give a taste of the dialogue between the guitarist and his instrument, between an invisible soul and a sound tool that vibrates only through and under the hands that love it, play it and faithfully draw inspiration from it.

An invitation to travel, to gentleness, to pleasure, then, for a world so little known, too often ignored, for a world of secrets. Gaël modestly offers us these secrets one by one, starting with a Cartography of the senses (those who think they know everything about this subject may get lost and desire a ‘Map of the tender’, a compass, to better find themselves and better lose themselves. Then the dance can begin, the light bossa nova of Obsessions, and the declaration of love to Kiticka can blossom: ‘A little flower in my heart’ (forgive me for not knowing how to use the accents of a language I don’t know). Built around a haunting ostinato, interrupted by harmonies that are soft at first, then rich and rhythmic, then the time for Revelations. The opening of the heart to the world and to everyone. La Petite promenade avec Juliette illustrates this openness well. The rhythm accelerates, the walk becomes a run, the heart gasps for breath and youth triumphs. The ornaments, pickings and glissandos take us to A l’ombre des rivières, where gentleness regains its rights. In Funny Jerémie, Gaël’s talent and expertise culminate in dizzying arpeggios and a frenzied rhythm.

Thanks to his mastery of a variety of styles that Gaël has diligently practised as a self-taught musician – bluegrass, blues, jazz and its more complex harmony – ‘Je de miroir’ takes us from the purest interiority to the greatest vitality, and does more than just charm the ears: it brings joy and serenity. Dreams and delicacy are on offer here.