Piano and guitar duos in jazz have an interesting lineage, relative to the short history of it all. From Jim Hall and Bill Evans to more recent duos like Pat Metheny and Brad Mehldau or Julian Lage and Taylor Eigsti. Nevertheless, there is much to be explored since there is not that much that is concrete in terms of a standard to adhere to.
In this latest release, we get to hear the sounds of French musicians, pianist Sylvain Rey and guitarist Leandro López-Nussa via their project, Duo Réflections. This is a follow-up to their self-titled 2020 debut.
The opening track, Aube begins with a spacious rhythmically driven texture that evokes some African-inspired vibes before moving into a more implied minimalist feeling. This is less about the typical jazz head-improv-head outing but more of setting the atmosphere and expectations of things to come. They take time to introduce themselves, and just when you expect it to develop into something else, the track fades out.
The second track, La Tregua means “The Truce” which sounds to me like a meeting point between the two musicians conversing in this duo language. Some parts of the theme, repeat again and again before the original ostinato phrase returns. Perhaps some of the most attractive parts of this piece is in the unison melodies that come and go before we hear the first solo, which is interesting a longer spaced out guitar solo with swells that contrast the rhythmic drive in the piano part. As it moves on, the guitar goes into some bluesy ideas before goes tremolo into a percussive piano drenched in reverb kind of part. A battle of textures takes place between the two instruments until we finally settle into the original theme… which makes me wonder, is that “The Truce”?
Juan & John is our third track and in this piece we are greeted by an interesting bass figure setting the mood as piano tinkles in texturally before we hear the main melodic theme. There’s a hint of a Spanish flavor to the piece that is subtle and tasteful. The piano solo comes in initially more prominent but it turns into a multiple voice conversation with the bass piano voice, the melodic solo and some counterlines from the guitar too. This happens just enough and then the theme returns.
Zythum begins with contemplative sounding chords before a conversational melody driven solo section takes over with both players taking turns building the atmosphere. As it progresses, it returns to the more spacious theme.
The next track, Fo’ Blue hints at a more traditional blues sound but not really because of the modern melodic and harmonic sensibility. This introduces a slightly overdriven guitar sound which allows guitarist Leandro López-Nussa to play more contemporary electric guitar ideas. The conversational quality still continues with pianist Sylvain Rey really supporting and at times challenging Leandro to even edgier sounds. For the piano we get a rhythmically driven prepared piano approach while Leandro plays around muted strummed rhythms than play off the piano. And just before you know it, the theme returns. This is the kind of aesthetic I love!
On En las Nubes, we are greeted by a spacious and beautiful ballad moment with both player painting the harmonic canvas tastefully. At some moments I am reminded of Pat Metheny & Charlie Haden’s iconic album, Beyond The Missouri Sky and at other moments I feel like I am in an open world Japanese role playing game. Both are special places for me to be in via this sonic blanket.
For Karl, the next piece continues the lyrical aesthetic with added elastic time moments in the piano solo. Every phrase seems to take us deeper and deeper into the dream that they are shaping.
Bobado is a more adventurous piece, taking us into a motivic trance. The jagged rhythms and angular melodies even spooked my speaker at one point. Gosh!
Closing the record is L’ami de Rasputin, composed by Leandro Lopez-Nussa. This more chromatic piece is more dissonant than the previous pieces but still goes between the chaotic chromaticism into dreamy chords. Some of this reminds me a bit of early Ben Monder – which is always a good thing.
All in all, this is probably one of the most fun piano and guitar duo albums I’ve heard in a while. The recording is pristine, the playing sublime and the music picturesque. If you love guitar and piano, you simply have to listen to this right now.
Rating: 5/5
Check out this album here:
[Spotify]
[Apple Music]
[YouTube Music]
Find out more about the duo here: https://www.duoreflections.com/
I received a complimentary copy of this album courtesy of Liam of Jazzfuel. Thank you for the CD!
[About Duo Reflections]
French group Duo Réflections – pianist Sylvain Rey and guitarist Leandro López-Nussa – return this autumn with La Tregua (October 24th), the highly anticipated follow-up to their 2020 debut.
A bold new chapter, the album trades in reimagined standards for an entire set of original compositions, expanding their sonic universe while staying true to the subtle groove, harmonic sophistication and improvisational depth that define their sound.
On stage, as on their self-titled debut album released in 2020, the pair display a rare musical connection, deep harmonic insight, boundless imagination and adventurous risk taking spirit. Their forthcoming album, La Tregua, raises the bar once again with an entirely new slate of compelling original compositions.
By carving out new territory for the piano-guitar duo, Rey and López-Nussa have forged a language that is unmistakably their own since their coming together in 2017 – welcoming the audience into moments of shared magic. The result is a warm, engaging exchange – sometimes intimate, sometimes grand – refined yet light-hearted, like a conversation between friends set to music.
Pushing further into textural and rhythmic exploration, La Tregua also marks a leap forward in how the duo records. Captured in a single day on analog tape using just one stereo microphone, the result is raw and immediate – an unfiltered performance with no edits or overdubs, preserving the energy and intimacy of the moment.
Across tracks like the earthy “L’ami de Rasputin,” the cinematic “En las nubes,” and the angular “Fo’ Blue,” the album tells stories through sound – balancing narrative form with bold improvisation and rich emotional contrasts. The title track serves as a powerful centrepiece: a slow-building piece of tension and release that reflects the album’s themes of pause, reflection, and renewal.With La Tregua, Duo Réflections reaffirm their place as a unique and expressive voice in contemporary jazz – one rooted in shared intuition, deep listening, and fearless musical storytelling.
[Submissions for Review Consideration]
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