Michel F. Côté, Tiari Kese ‎– Botul à la campagne (2014, CD, Canada)

Tracklist:
1. Anasthasia sur l’herbe (5:52)
2. Sexe sous un arbre (6:50)
3. Ampleur métaphysique du nous (5:05)
4. Bain de grâces (4:25)
5. Chant de chasse à l’ancienne (5:10)
6. Esthétique de l’indifférence (3:52)
7. L’inaction console de tout (5:28)
8. Bain de grâces (vues de loin) (0:55)

Musicians:
Bass Flute, Flute – Jean Derome (tracks: 2, 4, 6, 8)
Drums, Electronics, Percussion, Keyboards, Lap Steel Guitar, Composed By – Michel F. Côté
Piano, Organ, Strings, French Horn, Composed By – Tiari Kese
Sampler – Rick Temeh (tracks: 3, 5)
Trumpet – Ellwood Epps (tracks: 2, 4, 8)
Vocals – Alanna Kraaijeveld (tracks: 1)

Experimental artist Michel F. Côté teams up with Tiari Kese for the release of ‘Botul à La Campagne’, his first album released through Squint Fucker Press. The new album sees Côté and Kese teaming up to offer a highly experimental musical experience, combining different elements of varying genres to great effect. Much of the album indulges in experimental notions, though elements of ambient, classical and jazz seem to seamlessly work their way into the tracks, offering up a very enjoyable album experience. There’s arguably a more subtle element to ‘Botul à La Campagne’, which never seems to overstep its mark at any point.

‘Botul à La Campagne’ offers up an interesting album experience, and one that leans towards the more accessible side of experimental music. Elements of different genres all come into play across the various tracks, though the album itself as a whole presents itself as a musical experience not limited by its own genres. The whole album seems to defy conventional genre classification in favour of pure creative experimental compositions. There seems to be elements of improvisation on the album, as could be expected of Côté, though at the same time there also seems to be real direction, and vision.

This latest release from Côté and Kese offers up an incredible musical experience, and one that seems to be oddly accessible for an album released through Squint Fucker Press. The album’s experimental notions do make the album a little odd in places, and thus this is perhaps a release that’s not for everyone, but those who are familiar with Côté’s work, and are open to his many different ideas and visions, expressed through his musical techniques, will most likely find ‘Botul à La Campagne’ to be one of the best releases this artist has to offer.

There’s an incredible amount being offered up on ‘Botul à La Campagne’, which takes ideas and brings out so much that the average musician wouldn’t think to do. Côté and Kese both manage to brilliantly bring forth so many different ideas and techniques, and string them all together into one coherent album package that just works. ‘Botul à La Campagne’ sees jazz music turn into dark ambient music turn into classical music without any notion or indication whatsoever. There’s some wonderful ideas being presented on the album, most of which work incredibly well and result in one of Squint Fucker Press’ most interesting album releases thus far. (The CD Critic)