Matthieu Saglio - Voices (CD)

Release Date: 06/09/23

Voices of the world: Cellist Matthieu Saglio's music combines influences from all around the Mediterranean, from North Africa to Southern Europe.

In 'Voices', Mathieu Saglio, with his quartet and a fascinating roster of guest vocal soloists from many countries the likes of Susana Baca. Alim Qasimov and Wasis Diop, follows a bold dream. 'Voices' builds on the success and the momentum of Saglio's previous ACT album 'El Camino de los Vientos'' (2020), a varied musical journey through the Mediterranean, Africa and Asia.

At the heart of 'Voices' is the cello playing of the 'talented and charismatic' (Songlines) Matthieu Saglio, who is also composer and producer. His playing functions as what he calls a 'fil directeur' (guiding thread) through the album. As soloist, time and time again on 'Voices', he manages to find exactly the right comment or embellishment as a response to what one of the vocal soloists has just done. Then, when he steps away from the limelight and accompanies, he can draw on a huge range of the new techniques with chords and basslines which he has developed for the cello; these give him myriad ways to anchor and propel the music. Saglio is also thrilled to be working with what has now become a regular working quartet in the years since 'El Camino: drummer/percussionist Steve Shehan, pianist/keyboardist Christian Belhomme and violinist Léo Ullmann.

In 'Voices', Saglio's ambition is 'to pay tribute to the voices of the world, of men, women, of all ages, of all languages... the voice as the essence of humanity...which at the same time brings people together and unifies them.'

With 'Voices', Matthieu Saglio has once again taken what might seem an impossible dream to bring people together through music and made it work brilliantly. His compositions become the vehicles to enable strong and unique musical personalities from all over the world to express themselves naturally and authentically. Saglio's imagination and his determination to make unlikely and magical things happen are a rare combination. Or as he explains: 'I believe in dreams, and I run after them.'

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