Odayin offers a buoyant groove, both moody and moving. Playing saxophone and the Armenian woodwind instrument known as the duduk, Samuel Maingaud offers a mature, multi-layered jazzy sound with his solid musical compadres: Nenad Gajin (guitar), Fred Dupont (organ, keyboards), Yoann Schmidt (drums), Adriano Tenorio (percussion), Nicho Vella (keyboards) and Thomas Ostrowiecki (percussion, udu on two tracks).

Each original track was arranged with a good ear and sensitivity towards the colors and nuances of sound.  Traditional jazz harmonic structures and ornamentations lay together side-by-side for different atmospheric moods that provide call, response, tension, relief, sound and silence. The title cut establishes a smooth jazz theme to open the project, while tunes like “Sukhumvit 10,” “Hanguk” and “Airduk” use the duduk’s plaintive, hypnotic voice to create a sonic atmosphere reminiscent of mountainous Caucasian regions where the instrument echoes throughout the hills.  The small, oboe-like instrument (with a very large reed) creates a soft, soulful, often melancholy tone. In Turkey, the duduk is often played in pairs, the second providing a drone.

One of several standout tracks, “Kalypso” introduces the alluring vocals of Ann Shirley and Didier Mpondo in a tune with accessible melody, tumultuous beats and bright breezy vocalizing and improvising by the instrumentalists. Closing your eyes and letting the music mesmerize, “Dudukali,” “Mysen,” “Apres la Pluie” and “Demoiselle” are fanciful and reflective. 

“13 Au Bar” is a bit of a stylistic departure as we’re treated to a surprisingly funky and modern ethnico-bluezzy groove built around guitar and sax. The sound of a young child at the beginning and end of “Le Prenom” is a unique way to introduce and conclude this precociously soulful track, just as “Lullaby” begins with richly textured sweetness. A bit disconcerting and surprising, it concludes with smoldering rock swagger. From start to finish, Odayin’s journey makes for an elegant, eclectic, accessible jazzy world music sound that showcases the musicians’ talent, energy and versatility. Emphasizing the earthy and ethereal, the music also demonstrates some classy, explosive dynamics making for a wild, thrilling ride. (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)