Solal Sadi Quartet Album Review: A Jazz Bop Gem Straight Outta Japan
Alright, let’s get into it. The Solal Sadi Quartet album is one of those hidden jazz treasures that sneaks up on you when you least expect it. Released under Polydor in Japan (yeah, random, I know), this record leans hard into the bop style with some serious flair. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel, but man, does it spin that wheel smoothly.
First off, big shoutout to Martial Solal on piano and Sadi on vibes—these two are basically carrying the whole vibe (pun intended). And don’t even get me started on the rhythm section. You’ve got Benoit Quersin and Jean-Marie Ingrand swapping bass duties like they’re passing a secret note in class, while Christian Garros and Jean-Louis Viale keep things tight on drums. Honestly, the lineup feels like a jazz supergroup that nobody really talks about anymore, which is kinda wild considering how good this thing sounds.
Now, onto the tracks. There are 12 songs here, so obviously we can’t dive into all of them, but there were two that stuck with me for different reasons. First up: "I Cover The Waterfront." This track just oozes cool. Like, imagine walking through a smoky jazz club in Tokyo at midnight—that’s what this tune feels like. Sadi’s vibraphone work is smooth as butter, and Solal’s piano solo? Absolute fire. It’s the kind of song that makes you wanna sit back, sip something strong, and pretend you’re way more interesting than you actually are.
Then there’s "Paris Je T’aime," which hits completely differently. If “Waterfront” is moody and mysterious, this one’s straight-up romantic. It’s playful yet tender, like someone whispering sweet nothings in your ear—but make it classy. The interplay between the vibes and piano here is next-level. Every note feels intentional, like they knew exactly how to tug at your heartstrings without being cheesy about it. Honestly, if this track doesn’t give you goosebumps, check your pulse.
The rest of the album keeps the energy high too. Tracks like "Tenderly" and "Love Walked In" bring that classic bop charm, while tunes like "Ridikiool" throw in some quirky twists to keep things fresh. Even the liner notes by 岩浪洋三 add a nice touch—it’s always cool seeing local flavor mixed into international projects like this.
But here’s the thing: listening to this album made me realize how underrated instrumental jazz albums can be. These days, everyone’s chasing lyrics or beats that slap, but sometimes you just need an hour of pure musicianship to remind you why music matters in the first place. Plus, knowing this came out of Japan in the bop era feels like discovering a time capsule from another dimension.
So yeah, Solal Sadi Quartet might not change your life, but it’ll definitely make your day better. Give it a spin if you’re into jazz that swings without taking itself too seriously. Oh, and fun fact—if you ever find this vinyl in a thrift store, buy it immediately. Not because it’s worth money (probably not), but because finding gems like this is what makes digging through dusty bins so rewarding.
Final thought: Who knew French vibes and Japanese production could sound so damn smooth together? Definitely gonna dig deeper into these cats’ discographies after this one.
