Erik Truffaz, the French-Swiss ambient trumpeter, and the former vocalist and beatboxer of the French hip-hop group Saïan Supa Crew, Sly Johnson, combined to treat the Jazz Cafe in London to an unlikely fusion of musical flavours on June 2nd. A departure from the norm for both, they served up a thought-provoking gig, attempting to bend the boundaries of jazz and soul in one of the most hallowed musical venues in the capital.

Truffaz, 50 this year, gained worldwide notoriety following his 1998 album, the Blue Note-produced The Dawn and he has never been one to shy away from collaborations, though this project is one of his most challenging. And in Johnson, 38, he has an talented partner. They, along with drummer Philippe Garcia, made an uncluttered trio on stage - and it's no surprise that their newly released three-disc album, Rendez-Vous, is a hit with Truffaz fans.

The evening slowly cranked up, kicking off with a version of The Beatles' Come Together and a number of other re-worked, overdubbed tracks. Johnson, with his incredible vocal dexterity, provided the beat and bass impressively. He was, frankly, mesmerising, though it was far from the normal fare the Jazz Cafe faithful - which, unsurprisingly, included a large number of French groovers - are used to.

Truffaz, somewhat disappointingly, took a back seat, nodding his floppy hair and swaying his slender frame before piping his melodies all too occasionally. The music was finger-clinking good, if not a mite slow and plodding at times, but there was little dancing taking place, aside from the odd shuffle.

Johnson took it up a level, stirring up the crowd with a octave-defying singing contest, which he - of course - won. The duo then dipped into ska, dubstep and toyed with drum & bass. It was a kaleidoscope, flicking though the genres, failing to let the audience settle. But that was the beauty.

Truffaz, who has sold over 400,000 albums, remains to subvert jazz normality. And while most of his music reaches a predictable end - a fact that his fans will actually deem a boon - he is always thoughtful, almost meditative, in order to push back the limits. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn't quite.

On this occasion it took a while for the audience to settle, but by the end they got into the swing. That Truffaz gave the more charismatic Johnson centre stage for most of the night - which, one suspects, suited both - did not dilute the experience of hearing two fantastically talented musicians. And, if Rendez-Vous is anything to go by, Truffaz will be back on English soil next with an Indian band.

 

Words: Oliver Pickup

 

Related Links:

• Issue 69
• Audio: Utah Jazz Interview & Mix
• Uprooted: Sabre & Alix Perez - Solitary Native
• Review: Emanative at Mau Mau, London
• Utah Jazz Presents Vintage

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