Thomas Naim - On the Far Side (2023) Hi Res

This time Thomas Naïm takes us to the “Far Side”. For those who know his discography, the title of the album echoes Desert Highway, whose references were notably Bill Frisell and Ry Cooder. We imagine bridges with North American music, especially since between these two albums, Thomas Naïm had made Sounds of Jimi, an album of Jimi Hendrix covers.

This time again, we find Raphaël Chassin on drums and Marcello Giuliani on bass, who have been working with the guitarist since his recording debut. Note also the presence on organ and piano of Marc Benham and, on three pieces, saxophonist Laurent Bardainne in addition to Daniel Yvinec at the production.

We thus obtain a fundamentally electric album – and it is not only due to the guitar – in which we readily imagine the great plains of the Middle West or the Rockies. “Slow Blues”, “Kite” or even “Little Dreamer” and their imposing developments are all examples.