Gerald Merceron in Jazz Compositions of Haiti, finally

Another album I've been searching for years ever since I heard the brilliant Mushi Widmaier's Kote Ou and thereafter discovered the genius composer Merceron.  With regards to the former record, I note the LP has finally been reissued, by Granit, and it came out last year.  Just a gorgeous piece of music with tropical and inventive songs, filled with warmth, tenderness and creativity.  Subsequently the 1979 VA album relating to the film Echec et Silence convinced me this was not a worthless quest.  The other two albums from the early 80s by Merceron were Tet San Ko and Bokassa Grotraka, the former probably featuring his most brilliant songwriting.

This record is clearly from an earlier time, perhaps the 60s, showing still the influence of Charlie Parker and similar classic American artists. The liner notes present his approach, which is to meld modern classical with jazz, crediting the presence of the great French pianist Martial Solal and Lee Konitz.

Chromatic Tension:





It's clear Merceron's piano credentials are quite unimpeachable, rather I should say impeccable, based on the final solo track:





Reminds me more than a little of the great Charlie Mingus' solo piano performances, even with respect to the title he brought to it.