Charles Loos - Eric Legnini

CD Release "Growlin Faces" Igloo Records

Charles and Eric.

One is more tanned and hairy than the other.

The other is older than the first.

Huy 1970 and Brussels 1951.

Both are pianists, composers and multi-talented artists.

Already widely praised for their elegant black and white playing.

For the river-like quality of their music.

And an eclecticism that always comes back to the jazz matrix.

The base, the nurturing mamma and part of the deep soul.

Charles Loos and Eric Legnini have recorded nine tracks together, divided between acoustic piano and Fender Rhodes. Latin, funky, Brazilian and even boogie-bluesy flavours. And classic jazz.

You don’t really know who’s playing what at what moment, because the complete fusion of the two musicians gives these nine moments of flesh and sound, where each projects his own experience. A tribute to Maurane (Morceau en forme de nougarose), a retro feel (S An P) or the almost frenzied album opener, Boda Boda, with its brilliantly clear dynamics. Charles and Eric are enjoying themselves. And inevitably, so are we.

This musical union is also embodied in Growlin’ Face, the second track, a Charles Loos compo from 1983, which gives its name to the album (with an extra ’s’). After an unsuccessful invitation to the Brussels Conservatoire - Eric wanted his students to play Loos’ compositions - the two reunited on the stage of the 140 to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of Igloo, in February 2020. This live experience led to the present album, which was entirely reworked in the studio. Via an electro-acoustic groove, looped in full covid.

Dialogue, listening, improvisation, energetic sound... an album of musical freshness !