Valentin Ceccaldi is an improvising cellist who is at the centre of the free improvisation scene in France in groups such as those led by his elder brother Theo Ceccaldi, also with the Hermia Ceccaldi Darrifourcq Trio and groups featuring vocalist Leila Martial.
In Bonbon Flamme Valentin has brought together a truly European band with Portuguese guitarist Luis Lopes, Belgian pianist Fulco Ottervanger and French drummer Etienne Ziemniak.
It’s a great live band, very entertaining with its frequent changes of pace and mood and its transitions from high energy raucous improv into elements of noise music.
This album draws on Ceccaldi’s visit to Mexico in January 2024, and presents a wider dynamic range in the music than in the band’s live performances. The music has a whole range of colours and introduces more atmospheric pieces, occasional childish melodies and a touch of ragtime.
There are three pieces with the title “Calaveras”, inspired by the figures made from wood, paper mache and sugar paste that celebrate the Day Of The Dead in Mexico. These pieces are thoughtful and mysterious.
The two tracks with the “Chupito” title seem to be inspired by a post dinner liqueur; these tracks are much more upbeat
Elsewhere on “The Ragtime Dance” a simple childish melody leads into a ragtime tune followed by a passage of noise music.
These three examples give an idea of the range of the music. It’s a fun album full of disparate influences played by an important European group.
