Review: Atlantis Jazz Ensemble - Mystic Suite (Marlow Records)

The conclusion of the triptych; 'Oceanic Suite' (2016), 'Celestial Suite' (2023) has arrived in a spirital climax as the Atlantis Jazz Ensemble emerge out of the sea with tridents in hand!

 

You'll recall that the last time we featured Marlow Records was the Cinephonic album 'Refuge' (see review HERE) that was a project of Pierre Chrétien, also known for his work in Souljazz Orchestra and Atlantis Jazz Ensemble.

Well, here he is again in a quintet aided by Petr Cancura (tenor saxophone, percussion) who was a long time member in Cecil McBee's group and Marielle Rivard (percussion) who is another member of Souljazz Orchestra.. 

There's a big fusion sound to match the classical Greek Gods.  From the sword hanging over the introduction of 'Damocles', "before the full band drops a dark Elvin Jones-style mambo" to the rising of 'Spirits Unseen'.

And if you're into the jazzdance groove. 'As The River Flows' will carry out to the unburned joy of the bossa swing on the shoreline before you find yourself at Afrobeat infused 'Gates Of The Sun'. 

Don't forget to check out the earlier ablums but as a backwards introduction to the jazz band from Atlantis, the is the 'Mystic Suite' of a starting point; as DJ Kev Beadle has already said, "One of my favourite records of the year" and it's only February!

Artisit: Atlantis Jazz Ensemble070

Title:  Mystic Suite

Release date: 27th February, 2026

Label: Marlow Records

Catalog No. MRLP

Format: Vinyl / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Personnel:
Ed Lister - trumpet, flugelhorn
Zakari Frantz - alto saxophone, percussion
Pierre Chrétien - electric piano, percussion
Chris Pond - bass
Mike Essoudry - drums

with:
Petr Cancura - tenor saxophone, percussion
Marielle Rivard - percussion

Review: Cinephonic - Refuge (Marlow Records)

The perfect follow up to Cinephonic's last album 'Visions', 'Refuge' takes Pierre Chrétien's vision to a deeper lounge of jazz meets beats; I didn't see that one coming! 

Pierre Chrétien, also known for his work in Souljazz Orchestra and Atlantis Jazz Ensemble, is the leader/multi-instrumentalist front row of piano, vibraphone and guitar with long time collaborators Philippe Charbonneau (bass) and Mike Essoudry (drums). 

So this album of 12 tracks is perfect Jazz Chronicles/Futuristic Beats as it's merges lounge/OST 'trio' jazz without being too soul-jazz or hip-hop all at the same time.

Like 'Visions' (see review HERE) and album made for Resonant FM's OST Show, in the 'music for film that's yet to be made' category and a perpect 'companion' album for the new Ayane Shino album 'River せせらぎ The timbre of guitar #2 Rei Harakami' on MusicMine Records (see review HERE).

Don't forget to check out 'Visions' after finding 'Refuge' with the Cinephonic.

Artisit: Cinephonic

Title: Refuge

Label: Marlow Records

Catalog No. MRLP069

Format: Vinyl / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Release date: 25th April, 2025

Personnel:

• Bass – Philippe Charbonneau
• Drums – Mike Essoudry
• Photography – Tim Queng
• Piano, Vibraphone, Guitar, Composed By, Producer, Design – Pierre Chrétien
• Producer, Engineer, Mastered By – Jason Jaknunas

Review: Cinephonic – Visions (Marlow Records)

Fans of the Souljazz Orchestra may recognise the name Pierre Chrétien as he was the driving force/multi-instrumentalist (Piano, Vibraphone, Marimba, Harp, Accordion, Percussion, Vocals) behind the Canadian group who released a great series of albums on Strut and Do Right! Music!

So with a background of over ten years in a top-rated soul-jazz-afrobeat band, who'd have thought he would have time to link up with fellow Canadian based musician/educator/trumpeter, Ed Lister to form Cinephonic to explored their mutual love of jazz-funk themes and cinema.

Their first album came out in 2020 on Marlow Records, 'Les Paradis Artificiels' and was very 60s OST meets beats.

The follow up, also on Marlow Records, 'Visions' is still in the same film ball park but also a bit prog/psychedelic; and even baraque - if you can imagine a organ happy 60s Procol Harum/Deep Purple (both did albums with orchestras) vs. 'Ascenseur pout l'echafaud'.

And what a vision it is!  Ten tracks with pretty much a 13-piece big band/orchestra that goes from the 'Apache'/'Peter Gunn' themes with "Hank Marvin" on track's like 'Le Combat' that's 'Good, Bad & The Ugly' awesome, the big orchestration on 'L'Exil' and more beat/Axelrod 'Pénombre' and the longest track, 'Le Feu' (check the sax on this one).

The addition of a bit of harpsichord and some Victor Feldman quality vibes are reminiscent of the film noir and there's alos some tracks that remind me of Glyn 'Bigga' Bush's 'The black Albumen' project of last year.

Lister and Pierre star on 'Tribulations' and there's like some echoes of Lalo Schifrin too on 'Les Souterrains' and 'Douleur' but my favourite track where it all comes together is the  glorious light that is, 'L'Étoile'.

This album is what the Resonance FM's OST Show used to be about and if we were still in the good ol' days, Jonny Trunk would have got these guys in for the full 2 hour show as it's the Cinematic Orchestra meets DJ Shadow and with Ennio Morricone!

There's a ever increasing interest in music design for film and films that haven't been made yet) and if this is anything to go by, we'll be back for much more.

P.S. thanks to Benjamin 'From France' for recommending this album to YATM for Valentine's Day - better than going to the cinema!

Artisit: Cinephonic

Title: Visions

Label: Marlow Records

Release date: 3rd February, 2023

Catalog No. MRLP067 

Format: Vinyl / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Personnel:
Zakari Frantz - Flute
Petr Cancura - Tenor Sax
Ed Lister - Trumpet
Ajo Elias - Flugelhorn
Mark Ferguson - Trombone
Mike Schultz - Trombone
Keith Hartshorn-Walton - Tuba
Cendrine Despax - Violin
Jean Despax - Violin
Olivier Philippe-Auguste - Viola
Valérie Despax - Cello
Pierre Chrétien - Piano, Organ, Clavinet, Vibraphone, Guitar, Percussion
Thibeaux Toussaint - Bass
Mike Essoudry - Drums