Supporting Cartier is the equivalent of an Ambiances Magnétiques All-Star band, with Jean Derome (sax and flutes), Jean René (viola), Bernard Falaise (guitar), and Pierre Tanguay (drums), all brilliantly executing and extrapolating on Cartier's scores. Yes, improbable, because the man has a very personal sense of melody favoring unusual intervals and a certain solemnity that inscribes this album in direct filiation with 'Dis, Blaise.' Chanson du Transsibérien, his previous effort. What he offers here is a delightful set of moving songs anchored in jazz ballad, Baroque counterpoint, (extremely well controlled) avant-jazz dissonances, and improbable melodies. But Cartier being the unique artist that he is, the resulting music outgrows its original concept. The bassist's intention was to produce a set of love songs in continuity with the French jazz standards.

Chansons de la Belle Espérance is Pierre Cartier's third song cycle, his second with this lineup, and his most achieved work to date.

Chants d39esperance for windows