For this, he can count on his friends Guillaume Vierset (electric guitar), Ruben Lamon (double bass), Alain Deval (drums) and, above all, his guest, the formidable New York trumpeter Adam O’Farrill, who is probably not for nothing in this process.

Thomas and Adam met in New York where the sax-player saw him perform several times on stage. Without knowing much more than that, Thomas then invited Adam to Belgium for a series of concerts and a possible recording. A double or nothing, kind of. The alchemy worked from the first notes. The concerts quickly enriched the dialogue and the album happened. As a no-brainer.

The 38 minutes (why add more when all has been said?) pulse and flow. The rhythm is edgy, sharp and always highly strung, but is also able to install a more intimate climate. How better to open doors and windows and let the brass and guitar fly? Yes, this album breathes. Yes, it takes to the air and flies; some tracks leave no doubt about it (“BreathBreath”, “Gentle Breeze” but also, of course, the album’s eponymous title: “Tide”).

The sound of Adam O’Farrill’s trumpet is both direct, clear and lively, but also supple and voluptuous. It is as elusive as a wild eel going up a tumultuous river (listen to “Bad Date” or “Looking Forward”). This generosity gives Thomas Champagne the opportunity to have fun without constraint, to frolic, to splash everyone in turn. This allows Guillaume Vierset to throw himself, body and soul, into the bath. The guitarist can let go with rock riffs, deploy his bluesy phrasing or extend some sumptuous folk riffs.

In this album, it’s all about trust and balance between harmonies and melodies, between laughter and whispers, between risk and research. Alchemy works and intuition is released (listen to “Muse” for proof).

Fermer