Visionary Swiss harpist and composer Julie Campiche has unveiled her first unaccompanied album, Unspoken, a tender and quietly radical work that serves as a hymn to the women who endure and shape our world. Released under the Ronin Rhythm label, this collection transforms extended harp techniques into music of profound intimacy, restraint, and conviction, drawing inspiration from the influential women in Campiche's life.
A Startling Introduction to UK Audiences
Campiche first captured the attention of UK listeners during the 2020 London Jazz Festival, which was held online due to pandemic restrictions. Her enthralling livestreamed performance with an avant-jazz ensemble was a standout moment, showcasing her virtuosic skills and innovative approach. She masterfully plucks guitar-like, zither-esque, and east Asian-inspired sounds from her harp, weaving them together with vocal loops, classical music elements, and Nordic ambient jazz. While her soundscape might be described as magical or otherworldly, it coexists with a strong political urgency on environmental and social issues, reflecting her role as a campaigner.
Celebrating Sisterhood Through Sound
On Unspoken, Campiche's extra-musical agenda is a heartfelt celebration of sisterhood, dedicated to women in both public and private spheres who have inspired her. The opening track, Anonymous, is built around a poignant Virginia Woolf quote: "for most of history, 'anonymous' was a woman." This is repeated by a chorus of women's voices in various languages, gradually building to a powerful clamour that underscores the album's thematic depth.
Other tracks include Grisélidis Réal, named after the Swiss artist and writer who explored the precipices of physical and mental life, including sex work. Campiche expresses this through gently lyrical harp lines intertwined with the spooky sounds of footsteps clicking on pavements. Rosa offers a lilting harp melody dedicated to the weary resolve of migrant workers, while Andréa Bescond features rhythm-shifting patterns as a lissome tribute to the French actor and director. On Maman du Ciel, Campiche mesmerisingly uses her own in- and out-breaths as the rhythmic foundation, adding a deeply personal touch.
A Departure from Jazz Traditions
Unspoken marks the least jazzy venture in Campiche's remarkable career so far, yet it is deeply rooted in the world of improvisation. Her ability to imagine and execute such a unique project stems from her immersion in improvisational communities, allowing her to push boundaries while maintaining the eloquence of pure sound without overwhelming it with polemic.
Other Notable Jazz Releases This Month
In addition to Campiche's album, several other jazz artists have released compelling works this month. New York avant-jazz pianist Craig Taborn, known for his collaborations with leaders like Tim Berne and Steve Coleman since the late 1990s, presents Dream Archives on ECM. This trio album features cello star Tomeka Reid and percussionist-composer Ches Smith, embracing fast-moving collective free-swing, smouldering lyrical originals, and heartfelt tributes to Paul Motian and Geri Allen.
French jazz luminary, trumpeter Airelle Besson, further nurtures her long-standing relationship with accordionist Lionel Suárez on Blossom. This mainstream yet delightful mix includes jaunty and tender originals, along with affectionate covers of Carla Bley's Ida Lupino and the Pat Metheny-Lyle Mays song Au Lait.
Gifted young UK pianist and composer Noah Stoneman continues his steady rise with Dance at Zero, featuring ingenious transformations of minuscule compositions into rich improvisations. He is joined by fast-rising young saxophonist Emma Rawicz, bassist Freddie Jensen, and UK jazz drum maestro James Maddren, showcasing the vibrant future of the jazz scene.
