JULIEN BRUNETAUD TRIO

“This 28 year old French pianist and singer toured extensively with harmonica ace Nico Wayne Tousaint, has had two albums on the New Orleans label Southland Records, and came second in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2006. The billing might lead the cautious listener to expect a jazz set – after all, that’s what trios credited as such tend to play these days – and that assumption is at least partially correct. The track-listing for this CD includes material by the likes of Dexter Gordon and James P. Johnson, plus standards such as “Sweet Loraine” and “Exactly Like You” – these jazz tunes are all immaculately played but whith a bluesy touch. The blue tinge is even stronger on Jelly Roll Morton’s wonderful “Mamanita” with its quotes from “Pinetop’s Boogie Woogie”, and there are also a couple of lovely, swinging organ-jazz pieces of the kind which often appeal to blues lovers. Those looking for straight blues material will not be disappointed though – check out the little track and Rosco Gordon’s “ No More Doggin” – though the treatment this latter receives is quite different from what this  track would receive from a jump-jive outfit. “Darling How Long” is a cocktail-blue from from Amos Miburn. Julien is a fine singer though his vocals are sometimes strongly accented – this is a problem in itself however, and this is an intriguing and enjoyable set. If you enjoy the likes of Ray Charles on his jazzier side, Mose Allison, Nina Simone, or maybe even Jools Holland, you’ll go for this album. Rating: 8”
By Norman Darwen — BLUES IN BRITAIN

« Au piano, au Wurlitzer, au Hammond, comme au chant, l’ancien accompagnateur de Nico Wayne Toussaint revisite en toute décontraction un univers composite qui mord sur ceux du New-Orleans, du latin jazz, du gospel ou de Nat King Cole, avec le soutien de Cedric Callaud et Matthieu Charzarenc (dm). »
Par FB — JAZZ MAG – JAZZ MAN

« Certains jeunes musiciens restent attachés au jazz tel qu’il était avant de devenir une musique cérébrale. Le pianiste-organiste-chanteur Julien Brunetaud est de ceux-là. Cet Agenais de 28 ans, après deux albums enregistrés à la Nouvelle Orléans, propose avec Look like twins un passionnant voyage à travers le blues, le boogie, le gospel. Cela démarre avec Up to you, une composition à laquelle son orgue Hammond insuffle un groove d’enfer. Mais la plus belle création de Julien est Yes we can, où l’on sent une ferveur très soul. Il revisite aussi une douzaine de standards, dont Exactly lika you qu’adorait le shouter Jimmy Rushing, et As time goes by la poignante chanson du film Casablanca. »
Par Richard Sourgnes — LE REPUBLICAIN LORRAIN