French pianist Eric Legnini received a Victoire Du Jazz in 2011 for his crossover album The Vox. With Sing Twice he continues on the same foot. Accompanied by drummer Franck Agulhon and double bassist Thomas Bramerie, a wind section, a funky guitarist and a percussionist, he lets jazz and pop merge. It is unclear whether this is a poppy jazz album or a jazzy pop album. One thing is clear and that
… is that Legnini's piano plays the leading role. Although it takes a while before the first African sounds are heard (Yan Kadi), Sing Twice listens in a relaxed and, above all, varied way. The latter is mainly due to the efforts of three completely different vocalists. British singer Hugh Coltman has listened to Jamie Cullum so well he could be a clone, Mamani Keita from Mali justifies the band name, and Japanese-American folk singer Emy Meyer provides the silky part. This makes The Afro Jazz Beat a very versatile band that, thanks to its powerful playing, leans more towards the pop side, but nevertheless does not lose sight of jazz. (AD)more