LIONEL BEUVENS / 49 Steps To Heaven / N° cat. HR026 - UPC 5063112253646
After years of touring and recording as a sideman, that saw him play on forty records, and also release two of his own very contemporary sounding albums,”Trinité" and "Earthsong", Lionel Beuvens presents this ambitious new project under the Hypnote Records label. Reuniting the talented Alexi Tuomarila (piano), Brice Soniano (double bass) and Kalevi Louhivuori (trumpet), joined at times by Ewout Pierreux (rhodes) and Franck Vaganee (alto saxophone). This offering confirms the richness of his repertoire, nourished by jazz as well as classical and latin music. The influences of his compositions range from African music to Bach via Radiohead, Steve Coleman, Count Basie and John Coltrane. Strong, contrasting and complementary personalities, accurately describing the exceptional musician that is Lionel Beuvens.
Lionel Beuvens will present his new album, rich and contrasting, comprising a range of masterfully written contemporary jazz pieces, bordering on the experimental but imprinted with sober and powerful lyricism. The composer’s multiple inspirations can be heard (Funk, Latin music), served with accuracy and emotion by Brice Soniano (double bass), Alexi Tuomarila (piano), and Kalevi Louhivuori (trumpet).
Lionel Beuvens' carefully fashioned writing gives the musicians plenty of space to unleash their improvisational talents and reveals tremendous group complicity. Imbued with an almost spiritual quality, as it oscillates between dense, wild, sometimes festive tensions, and a contemplative, calming retreat, this album can be listened to on repeat throughout the day and will definitely be one that stays with us.
All compositions by Lionel Beuvens
Recorded by Jonas Verrijdt at Jet Studio, Brussels on August 2021 except "What’s Even" recorded by Brice Soniano in Denmark on January 2022
Mixed by Jonas Verrijdt
Mastered by Dave Darlington
Produced by Lionel Beuvens and Giuseppe Millaci
Release date: November 25, 2022