Stephane Wrembel: Triptych, featuring Jean-Michel Pilc

If Stephane Wrembel's early influences partially evolved from guitarists in classic rock bands such as Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin, it was not long before the French-born guitarist was drawn forever to the creative and romantic sounds of gypsy jazz master guitarist Django Reinhardt. Elements of Reinhardt's often brisk style would drift in and out of many of Wrembel's releases. Dreamers of Dreams, his 2014 release (Water Is Life Records, the artist's label), featured not only stand out cuts such as "Through the Looking Glass" but Wrembel wove a three part mini-suite into the disc, "Human Condition I, II and III." The concept evolved even further with four thematically linked discs between 2017 and 2019—Django Experiment I, II, III and IV. He revisited thematic groupings yet again by releasing three separate full-length albums united under the heading of Triptych in 2024. Joining Wrembel in the studio were, depending on the track, guitarist Thor Robert Jensen, bassist Ari Folman-Cohen, drummer Nick Anderson and Nick Driscoll on sax and clarinet, while Eduardo Belo (bass) and Josh Kaye (guitar) make brief appearances. Sharing co-leader honors throughout all three albums is improvisational pianist and composer Jean-Michel Pilc, a fellow Frenchman currently based in Montréal.

Triptych Phase I-III was actually recorded in 2020 but the mixing and mastering did not take place until 2023 in preparation its 2024 release. The first track on Phase I is a spirited opening salvo driven by potent piano and saxophone while the second track (both Wrembel originals) draws the listener in with hypnotic tranquility. Tracks four and five are Reinhardt originals from decades ago. His "Pêche à la Mouche" is peppered with vintage jazz age clarinet while "Anouman" is much more reflective. "Le Mythe de Sisyphe," a Wrembel piece featuring Pilc's spirited and dancing piano, is next. It not only echoes Reinhardt's pieces, but it also confidently points to the future. The album has two Pilc "improvisations" with the second one bidding everyone a gentle adieu at the conclusion of Phase I.

Phase II opens with the first of three Wrembel originals interspersed with two Reinhardt classics but only one Pilc number this time around. Driscol and Pilc both feature prominently on the first cut while Reinhardt's "Flèche d'Or" follows. It's a rapid-fire piece with sharp twists and turns smartly presented by Wrembel and company. The other Reinhardt piece, "Minor Swing," is equally fascinating, while Pilc closes out the disc as he did on Phase I. Once again, Pilc's sensitive piano improvisation gently eases the listener into the second intermission.

Phase III opens with a slow and, at times, moody Wrembel original which acts as the prelude for the third and final disc of the set. The piece is called "Life in Three Stages Part I" with part two and three interspersed throughout the remainder of the album. As Wrembel has explained, "it's an allegory of life in three parts" as it reflects the stages of youth, middle age and the transition to old age, a time for final reflections. There is a similar flow to "Orion." with more of a focus on Driscoll's reed work. Only one Reinhardt original is offered on this disc—"Douce Ambiance"—which is upbeat and seems to be updated for the 21st century. Pilc's second-to-last track is one of the most free-flowing, abstract pieces in the collection while the final piece, "Life in Three Stages Part III" is as much a resolution as it is a conclusion to this auspicious collection.

Although eight musicians participate in various selections throughout the three albums, the constant artist on each track is, as expected, Wrembel. But since pianist Pilc co-anchors every track as well, he shares top billing on all three discs (which are sold individually or as a set.) As a recap, the three discs are populated by a variety of Wrembel and Pilc originals, while the group resurrects five Reinhardt originals and sprinkles them throughout the three-disc collection. In addition to echoes of Reinhardt bohemian café society from long ago, the group offers occasional glimpses of Middle Eastern sounds, Spanish flamenco and more. Collectively, the musicians scurry from rapid-fire numbers to more subtle meditative settings. When Wrembel wanders off on a solo outing, the others are intuitively ready and waiting for his return and then seamlessly reunite as one voice. As for Wrembel, he repeatedly displays dexterity, creativity and even impish humor every now and then. It has been said that dedicated musicians can methodically learn guitar, but it takes a lifetime to even come close to a master such as Spanish guitarist Andres Segovia. Wrembel has been known to devote months mastering just one Reinhardt piece (or numerous other pieces for that matter). In addition, he crafts alluring originals, thus it often looks like a photo finish when you compare his skills to the monumental accomplishments of his musical mentor, Reinhardt. As a final thought: We had three audio professionals gather together for a final listen and each one had minor concerns about the audio quality. Was it the mixing, the mastering, the studio or something else? Regardless, the music itself was top-notch from start to finish.

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