Stephane Wrembel - Origins (2012)

If French-born composer, guitarist, and musical gypsy Stephane Wrembel's name was not familiar to mainstream jazz fans even as he released this, his stellar, eclectic, world music-driven fifth release, his music was certainly known to discerning film fans. Woody Allen used his tune "Big Brother" in Vicky Cristina Barcelona and he composed the theme to Midnight in Paris (entitled "Bistro Fada") which he performed live at the Oscars; he includes that whimsical, lilting tune on Origins, a set that explores his many influences. The Berklee graduate was first inspired to study composition, arranging, and jazz by attending a Django Reinhardt Festival, and that influence snaps through most clearly on "The Edge," which moves from more abstract, ambient passages into plucky, percussive jam segments reminiscent of the master. He later travels with that same vibe on "Train D'enfer." Wrembel's love for exotic Indian music shines through on the opening trance-like track "The Voice from the Desert," where a hypnotic tambura line underscores a melodic, hard-strumming exploration. While digging into everything from rock to blues and flamenco music, he takes a moment to pay heartfelt homage to the victims of Japan's devastating "Tsunami" and takes numerous adventurous journeys -- including a percussive flamenco roll on a "Voyager," dedicated to the pioneering spirit of Carl Sagan. Rolling Stone magazine has called Wrembel a "revelation" -- but that's an oversimplified description for an artist who knows his roots but transcends easy genre classification.~Origins Review by Jonathan Widran