What makes L'Imparfait des Langues by Louis Sclavis notable?

L'Imparfait des Langues received critical acclaim for its unique blend of jazz and spoken word, showcasing Sclavis's ability to push genre boundaries. The album was particularly noted for its intricate arrangements and was praised in various publications for its intellectual depth and artistic ambition, helping further solidify Sclavis's status within the European jazz landscape. Released in 2007, L'Imparfait des Langues marked Louis Sclavis's continued evolution as a prominent figure in the French jazz scene following his acclaimed albums like Les Violences de Raison in 2004. By this time, Sclavis had already established himself as an innovative composer and clarinetist, blending traditional jazz elements with contemporary influences.

How many songs are on L'Imparfait des Langues?

L'Imparfait des Langues has 14 tracks, running approximately 56 minutes.

L'Imparfait des Langues

Louis Sclavis · 2007

56 min · 14 tracks · jazz

A meditative exploration of jazz, where intricate melodies intertwine with spoken language and reflective improvisation.

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Top tracks — play these first

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L'idée du dialecte — This track stands out for its rich tapestry of sounds, melding structured improvisation with lyrical themes about communication and expression. It encapsulates the album's exploration of language through jazz.
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Dialogue with a dream — By incorporating dreamlike soundscapes and conversational motifs, this track highlights Sclavis's unique approach to storytelling through music, making it a central piece on the album.
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Story of a phrase — This expansive track articulates the interplay between narrative and melody, illustrating how phrases evolve musically while maintaining a cohesive thematic focus throughout the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album's intricate arrangements and blend of jazz with spoken word create a unique listening experience.

What we noticed

The album features a series of tracks that blend intricate instrumental melodies with spoken language, creating a dialogue between music and narration.
The arrangement often shifts between solo passages and ensemble sections, allowing for moments of introspection followed by collective improvisation.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Premier imparfait «a» 1:46
2 L'idée du dialecte 7:00
3 Premier imparfait «b» 1:02
4 Le verbe 6:49
5 Dialogue with a dream 4:03
6 Annonce 1:40
7 Archéologie 6:19
8 Deuxième imparfait 2:19
9 Convocation 1:16
10 Palabre 4:06
11 Le long du temps 5:35
12 L'écrit sacrifié 2:27
13 Story of a phrase 7:35
14 L'imparfait des langues 3:57

What to play next

Listen next

La Moitié du Monde

2007

Go back to

L’Engrenage

2006

Full Louis Sclavis discography Artists like Louis Sclavis

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata