Louis Sclavis Sextet - Ellington On The Air

laurabethwenger

Review by Laura Wenger

Ellington On The Air by Louis Sclavis Sextet: A Jazz Journey Worth Taking Let’s cut to the chase—Ellington On The Air isn’t your run-of-the-mill jazz album. Released in 1992 by the French label IDA Records (with Ouch! Records also in the mix), this gem from Louis Sclavis and his sextet dives deep into contemporary jazz with a vibe that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly new. If you’re someone who digs intricate arrangements, playful improvisation, and a dash of mystery, this one’s for you. First off, let’s talk about two tracks that really stuck with me: “Caravan” and “Black and Tan Fantasy.” Now, these aren’t just covers—they’re reimagined classics that breathe fresh life into Duke Ellington’s timeless tunes. “Caravan,” man, it’s like stepping into a smoky Parisian jazz club at midnight. The interplay between Louis Sclavis on clarinet and François Raulin on piano is pure magic. There’s this moment where the bass clarinet takes over, and it’s so sultry, so hypnotic, you almost forget where you are. Bruno Chevillon’s acoustic bass lays down this steady groove, while Francis Lassus sprinkles in subtle percussion hits that make the whole thing swing effortlessly. It’s not just music—it’s storytelling without words. Then there’s “Black and Tan Fantasy.” This track hits different. Yves Robert’s trombone slides in like a voice from another era, rich and full of soul. And when the violin comes in—courtesy of Dominique Pifarely—it adds this unexpected cinematic layer that tugs at your heartstrings. You can tell everyone involved poured their hearts into this. It’s moody, dramatic, and kinda haunting in the best way possible. Every listen reveals something new, like finding hidden Easter eggs in an old favorite movie. What makes Ellington On The Air special is how it pays tribute to Duke Ellington without being stuck in the past. Sclavis and his crew bring their own flavor to the table, blending traditional jazz elements with modern twists. The production quality is top-notch too—shoutout to Philippe Teissier Ducros for engineering and mastering wizardry—and Florent Decornet’s artwork perfectly captures the album’s vibe. Here’s the kicker: listening to this record feels like having a conversation with history. You hear echoes of Ellington’s genius but also catch glimpses of what jazz could sound like if we let it evolve freely. Honestly, I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. But hey, sometimes the best discoveries happen when you least expect ‘em. So, if you’re looking to spice up your playlist or dive deeper into the world of contemporary jazz, give Ellington On The Air a spin. Just don’t blame me if you end up playing “Caravan” on repeat for hours. Trust me, it happens.

Download Louis Sclavis Sextet - Ellington On The Air
Artist: Louis Sclavis Sextet
Album: Ellington On The Air
Rating: 5.0

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: louis-sclavis-sextet-ellington-on-the-air.zip
  • MP3 size: 163.8 mb
  • FLAC size: 928.2 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Black and Tan Fantasy4:32
Caravane1:17
Bakiff3:46
A Tone Parallele to Harlem5:10
Harlem Pancake10:46
Indigofera Tinctoria / Mode Andy Go10:51
Jubilee Stomp1:28
Mode Andy Go7:25
Jubilee Stomp / J'oublie / Jubilee Stomp7:17
Prelude To A Kiss1:08
Black And Tan Fantasy4:50
Caravan / Caravalse10:32
Jubilee Stomp, Pt. 20:48
West Indian Pancake1:24
Caravan1:18
Heaven1:5
Jubilee Stomp, Pt. 11:26
J'oublie5:4
Prelude to a Kiss1:10
Caravalse9:15
Prelude10:52
A Tone Parallel To Harlem5:12
Harlem Pancake / A Tone Parallel To Harlem / West Indian Pancake17:21
Prelude / Prelude To A Kiss12:02
J'oublie5:05
Indigofera Tinctoria3:28

Video

Louis Sclavis Sextet - Caravan/Caravalse

Images

descargar álbum Louis Sclavis Sextet - Ellington On The Air
ladda ner album Louis Sclavis Sextet - Ellington On The Air
télécharger l'album Louis Sclavis Sextet - Ellington On The Air
Album herunterladen Louis Sclavis Sextet - Ellington On The Air
baixar álbum Louis Sclavis Sextet - Ellington On The Air
last ned album Louis Sclavis Sextet - Ellington On The Air

Catalog Numbers

  • V001/3
  • IDA 032 CD

Labels

  • Ouch! Records
  • IDA Records

Listen online

  • kuunnella verkossa
  • ouvir online
  • lytte på nettet
  • escuchar en línea
  • écouter en ligne
  • ascolta in linea
  • online anhören
  • online luisteren
  • lyssna på nätet

Formats

  • 2 × Vinyl
  • LP
  • Stereo
  • CD
  • Album

Companies

RoleCompany
Recorded AtStudio Gimmick
Remastered AtStudio Boxson
Distributed ByHarmonia Mundi s.a.
Phonographic Copyright (p)IDA Records
Copyright (c)IDA Records

Credits

RoleCredit
Acoustic BassBruno Chevillon
Artwork ByFlorent Decornet
ClarinetLouis Sclavis
Bass ClarinetLouis Sclavis
Soprano SaxophoneLouis Sclavis
DrumsFrancis Lassus
PercussionFrancis Lassus
EngineerPhilippe Teissier Ducros
Liner NotesLouis Sclavis
Photography ByLouis Sclavis
PianoFrançois Raulin
KeyboardsFrançois Raulin
MelodicaFrançois Raulin
ProducerPhilippe Vincent
Remastered ByOlivier Saltiel, Philippe Teissier Ducros
TromboneYves Robert
ViolinDominique Pifarely
Mastered ByAlain Marnat

Notes

  • Recorded at Gimmick Studio (Yerres - France) in December 1991 except track 8 recorded live at Théâtre d'Aubagne on February 11th, 1992
  • remastering 2016

Barcodes

  • Barcode: 3 365420 203224
  • SPARS Code: DDD
  • Distribution Code: HM 85

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s an interesting fact: The album *Ellington On The Air* by Louis Sclavis Sextet is a tribute to Duke Ellington, but it’s far from a straightforward cover project. Released in 1992 in France, it blends contemporary jazz with unique reinterpretations of Ellington’s classics. What makes it special? Louis Sclavis doesn’t just stick to one instrument—he plays clarinet, bass clarinet, and soprano saxophone, giving the album a dynamic, layered sound. And get this: the tracklist includes multiple versions of the same songs, like "Jubilee Stomp" and "Caravan," each reimagined to feel fresh. It’s not just jazz—it’s jazz with personality.

Comments

josepoloarques
josepoloarques
2025-03-16
Louis c'est super continue encore et encore merci
tommferr03
tommferr03
2025-03-15
handsome grooves - yes indeed!
dembagueye204
dembagueye204
2025-03-15
superbe !
bringmeforfly
bringmeforfly
2025-03-15
this composition/arrangment is from Alain Gibert
karamchik6
karamchik6
2025-03-14
excelent!
gensterby
gensterby
2025-03-14
Duke the contagious genius .
ebarraza2718
ebarraza2718
2025-03-14
A phenomenal album that's hard to find in the US. I chanced upon "Ellington on the Air" about 20 years ago at Amoeba Records in Berkeley where the opening bass/drum/clarinet passage of this track snaked seductively through the air as I walked in. I stopped dead in my tracks and was immediately captured by this imaginative arrangement and the original compositional genius Sclavis fuses into "Caravan". Jaw-dropping musicianship by every member of the sextet and wonderful compositional work by Sclavis makes all of the tracks on the album my favorite renditions of these popular Ellington tunes.