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Continuation of the project created in 2006 in Vietnam, the record «
BAI HAT » explores the richness of traditional music from Hué mixed
to the contemporary and improvised jazz of the Circum collective.

The music composed in Vietnam by Olivier Benoit, Sébastien Beaumont
and Peter Orins feeds itself by their trip in Hué, former imperial
city, and by the traditional Vietnamese culture. A very melodic
writing, which blooms in the mixture of the modern and traditional
instruments, and which takes its flight in the improvisation such as
it can be perceived in both cultures. A musical and human adventure
that brews the influences to make a music of the most surprising.


"Bai Hat is a superb collaboration between a French avant-rock/jazz
collective and a trio of Vietnamese traditional musicians. Guitarists
Olivier Benoit (electric) and Sébastien Beaumont (acoustic) wrote a
set of pieces while in Hué (Vietnam), especially for this project
commissioned by the 2006 Hué International Festival. A year later,
the project moved to France for a studio session that yielded this
record. The result speaks legions about the songwriting skills of
Benoit and Beaumont, the musicianship of everyone involved, and the
universal power of music as a communication tool. It's also one
mighty fine slab of original rock-leaning avant-jazz. There's a touch
of Rock in Opposition, a pinch of free improvisation, and just a
grain of krautrock. However, if these genres can give you an idea of
the level of experimentation involved, none actually describe the
music, which is surprisingly light, accessible, exotic, and
enjoyable. The Vietnamese component (Duong Thi Lan Huong on dan
tranh, and lead vocals on one track; Nguyen Khac Dinh Du on dan bau;
Duong Tien Dung on dan nguyet) is perfectly integrated to Circum's
sound, maybe best examplified by "Bay," where Julien Favreuille's
tenor sax and the dan bau come together marvelously for an angular
yet sweet melody that bores a hole through your skull and down to the
reptilian brain. "Carambole" (the only song of the set), "Les Parfums
de Huong," and "Petite Vague" (the latter has a Jean Derome-like
quality to it) are all highlights, but there is hardly a subpar track
on this set. A very strong album, and one of Olivier Benoit's more
accessible releases. A must." François Couture in All Music Guide

Name of the band : Hué/Circum
line-up :
Duong Thi Lan Huong : dan tranh, voice

Nguyen Khac Dinh Du : dan bau

Duong Tien Dung : dan nguyet

Julien Favreuille : tenor and soprano saxophones

Sébastien Beaumont : acoustic guitar

Olivier Benoit : bass, electic guitar

Peter Orins : drums