For Franck Tortiller is no theorist. His knowledge comes from pleasure, and his know-how from the pleasure of doing. What's most precious in this life-affirming disc is the jubilation and candour of the musicians collectively encumbered with the mysteries of creation, humbly following in the footsteps of their illustrious predecessors and treading the same paths in their turn. Focussing more than ever on rhythm and its spells, multiplying both angles of attack and the compositional approaches (from the long suite of subliminal collages to the seemingly simple of the song form via various "concerti" showcasing his brigade of top-notch soloists), taking full advantage of the light, adventurous instrumentation to offer an unheard-of range of sonic refinement and incorporating electronics with consummate discretion and musicality, Tortiller celebrates in Electrique the fundamentals of black music, dance and song, and signs a magnificent defence of a resolutely open conception of jazz – the music of cross-pollination and appropriation.

Stéphane Ollivier