Archie Shepp Quartet – Deja Vu (2001) [Japan 2003] [SACD / Venus Records – VHGD-13]
![Archie Shepp Quartet - Deja Vu (2001) [Japan 2003]](https://imghd.xyz/images/2025/05/26/OTYtNTc1NC5qcGVn.jpg "Archie Shepp Quartet - Deja Vu (2001) [Japan 2003]")
Title: Archie Shepp Quartet – Deja Vu (2001) [Japan 2003]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC
In his 2001 album, also known as French Ballads in Japan, Archie Shepp, typically known for his fiery avant-garde jazz, delivers a remarkably restrained and emotive set of French songs and France-associated ballads, recorded with a stellar rhythm section featuring Harold Mabern on piano, George Mraz on bass, and Billy Drummond on drums. Following his successful late-1990s Venus Records releases, Shepp, a long-time France resident, performs rhapsodic pieces like Michel Legrand and Sidney Bechet compositions, “Les Feuilles Mortes” (Autumn Leaves), and “Sous Le Ciel De Paris,” culminating with his original “Deja Vu.” His sweet, romantic renditions carry deep emotion without saccharine sentimentality, creating riveting tension, while upbeat tracks like “L’Ame Des Poetes” and “April in Paris” showcase a relaxed, playful side, making this a compelling addition to his discography.