L’abîme: “L’abîme” (2021) CD Review

L’abîme is a group based in Quebec made up of Hugo Blouin on upright bass, Alex Dodier on flute and saxophone, Gabriel Genest on saxophone and clarinet, Jean-Philippe Godbout on drums, and Jonathan Turgeon on piano. Their name translates as The Abysm, or The Abyss, and so you might imagine the music they create would be dark and rather depressing. And while there is a certain darkness to some of the tracks on the self-titled debut album, there is also a playfulness at times. The album features original material composed by Jonathan Turgeon, with arrangements by the entire group.

It opens with “Requiem,” a somber piece, as you might expect from its title. It begins rather softly with piano, and soon the bass and drums enter, and the track builds from there. It is a hauntingly beautiful piece. This requiem certainly does not wallow in despair, but reaches out as if to take hold of the lower portions of the sky at times. We are all just passing through, and at times here it is like we are floating by, as light as a thought, as brief as a breeze, and it’s all right. This piece also makes it feels as if our journey, whatever it might be, is not one made alone. “Requiem” ends as it began, with some gentle work on piano. It is then followed by “Perdu Dans Les Bois,” which translates as “Lost In The Woods” and which has quite a different feel. There is something playful about this piece, something youthful, for perhaps we think of children as the ones most prone to becoming lost in the woods. And they might worry, but not really give in to worry, because there is that sense of adventure and the knowledge in the back of their minds that their parents are looking for them, or will be soon. And this piece does have that sense of adventure, of curiosity, without awareness of any impending danger. Then “L’abîme” begins with some great work on bass, and that sound does seem to take us down into a hole or cavern. After a minute or so, the drums and piano come in, and there is an unexpected lightness to the piece. From there, it goes into some interesting territory, and the tune begins to swell and grow. I love that work on saxophone. This track also features some gorgeous work on piano and some excellent stuff on drums. By the way, this track puts the group in the same company as 7 Walkers, Bullied By Strings, I See Hawks In L.A., Kanary, Night Ranger, They Might Be Giants and Trees Speak, all of whom have a song sharing their band’s name.

Most of the second half of the album comprises three tracks titled “Le Culte.” The first, “Le Culte I,” begins in a darker place, slowly moving in on us and then leading us somewhere that feels unsettling and unsafe. Here we are cautious, unsure, and on our guard, surrounded by strange new things. “Le Culte II,” the second of the “Le Culte” tracks, begins with a more urgent sense of movement, which in a way is actually more frightening. That percussion is like the breaking of glass, or of stepping on broken glass, a disconcerting sound. Later there is a sound like an old door creaking open. Leading where? And if it is difficult to get open now, will that door prove a difficult route of escape later? But for me it is the percussion which is the dominant element here. “Le Culte III,” the final of the three “Le Culte” tracks, also begins with a strong sense of movement. There seems to be more excitement here, and also more control. I particularly love the work on piano. The album then concludes with “L’étang Au Crépuscule,” which begins gently, lightly, peacefully, and we are almost immediately soothed. It is like there is no worry about time, and nothing demanding our attention. There is a sense of settling, as we let the music relax us into a state where our bodies seem to combine with our surroundings. And it is then that we begin to notice the other life around us, and it almost a surprise to find so much activity. There is something sweet about the way it carries on around us without worrying about our presence. At the end it is like things are slowing down again, curling up and going to sleep.

CD Track List

1. Requiem
2. Perdu Dans Les Bois
3. L’abîme
4. Le Culte I
5. Le Culte II
6. Le Culte III
7. L’étang Au Crépuscule

L’abîme was released on April 30, 2021 on Multiple Chord Music.