Published on PostGenre
Cécile McLorin Salvant's Mélusine is the first Salvant album sung primarily in French. It is also the Salvant album with the strongest presence of African, Caribbean, and Latin American rhythms. "Dites moi que je suis belle" is a great example - Weedie Bramiah's skittish, energetic djembe playing makes a fine partner to Salvant's lovely lighthearted melodies. The last section of "Doudou" is a party driven by the rhythm section and pianist Sullivan Fortner, who plays with a vibrancy that would be at home on classic salsa records. There are stunning piano moments all over the album; Aaron Diehl's twinkling dissonance and exploratory progression throughout "Est-ce ainsi que les hommes vivent?" is a joy to listen to. Surprisingly, the album even has a bit of the baroque era on "D'un feu secret." Fortner's synthesizer warps melancholic baroque structures as Salvant, in a quasi-operatic mode with a gorgeous vibrato, shows a completely different side of her talent. Throughout Mélusine, Salvant sings with irresistible expressionism and expands her sonic palette. She's telling a story, and even if you do not speak French, you can always feel the drama. Mélusine is a wonderful album that ranks among Salvant's best work.
