Review by Stef Gijssels for Freejazzblog september 2013

Henri Roger - Exsurgences (IMR, 2012) ****

Henri Roger is a self-taught pianist, guitarist, drummer and composer with a long track record in modern music, and if I’m not mistaken, this must be his fourth solo piano album. This one is vinyl only, with an accompanying DVD. The theme of this album is the way of underground water as it moves up to the surface.

The A side is quite exploratory, with the artist nervously conjuring up dark phrases with increasing intensity, alternated with interesting moments of almost percussive lyricism. It an eclectic improvisation, not really jazzy, not classical either, but a very honest and cautious journey of musical reflection.

The B side is at times more romantic, calm and introspective in a Jarrett mode, but then with a little darker edge to it.

The DVD is actually longer than the LP, with the visual part consisting of videos by Anne Pesce, evocative accompaniements, ranging from a long travel around a globe, visiting just dots of unrelated cities to high speed travel in a car without being able to see too much what’s happening. All videos can be viewed here.
Stef GijsselsFreejazzblog