VaLeNtiNe QuInTiN

The jazz-song style is booming, singers seek out this tempo, and jazzmen want to try it out. These comings and goings are more (Pink Martini) or less (David Linx) convincing. [...] Most of the time Valentine Quintin’s beautifully flowing flexible voice with "Barbary" intonations, and the complicity of musicians trained like she is in jazz , (David Venitucci, superb accordion, Michael Felberbaum, graceful guitar, Gary Brunton, earthy double bass, and Etienne Brachet, sensual drums) enchant all who hear them. With the exception of Akoto, in Medumba language, written by Gino Sitson from Cameroon, Valentine Quintin writes her own lyrics, one composed in English, the rest in French. [...] Here, the title Sud amer (Bitter south) unites euphony and strong images. Elsewhere tangos, bossas, blues, ballads or witty vocal enigmas set high - and beautiful - standards.

Whether introspective diary, or open on the souths ( Latin America/Africa),  "Issu de mon songe" unfold an eandearing  charm.
Mournful charm, nostalgia of the loved one -Lion Loin- (Lion far), of visited lands, of outer space travels.
This is the zoo of Valentine Quintin, world singer in the best meaning , giving an album full of images (to many sometimes), surrealistic poetry ,mixing tenderness and bitterness (bitter south). Something close to bitter-sweet to use culinary metaphor.
We discover an undeniable melodistic talent (Akoto, the cd ‘s jewel, evokes Africa with joy and elegance) an alto voice slightly veiled not seeking to perform vocal feats, leaving to her partners the improvisation territory.

The balanced record, in its cocktail of ballads and swinging rythms , songs and jazz, with an excellent instrumental quality all the way through. Special mention to the accordeonist David Venitucci.

We could be less enthusiastic on the old style jazz  on « Wish me well » breaking the melodic continuity and on some jazz/rock moments.

And about the writing, on an abundance of stylistic figures playing on words. On some texts it seems sort of systematic.

But it doen’t spoil the pleasure of the listenning, ending with a  funny puzzling enigma (rebus).

Charles de Saint-André - Citizen Jazz

"How could you not be seduced by the velvet feeling of this voice[...]added to this beauty a perfect phrasing, original repertoire and sense of humour."

"World-jazz : A flamboyant poetry on latin or jazz rythms. Hell of a sound ! and here and there, a ballad lifts you up the ground , and beyond  the stars…Sensual warm clear voice; it’s gonna open your ears !

"Travelling in parallel universes where celtic faerie mix with  genies, or here on earth–warrior song commited for Tibet, south american nostalgia –very succesful mingling of accordion and electric  guitar,  neat harmonies, precise and inventive rythm section, energy and finesse; brilliant musicians led by a bewitching mezzo voice. Merging styles giving a surprising enchanting jazz !

"... The flowing style,  grace, musical finesse of this singer[...], I’m really amazed.

"Valentine Quintin is a swinging lady, we’re thrilled  by her warm voice with an impeccable phrasing, backed up by sensitive musicians ; original work, but standards as well from Miles Davis, Bob Dorough, Charles Mingus..."

Spontaneous music “ écoutille" :
Presences in the in-between world, of coming insects or canibals sea cells, minerals touched by animal vibes becoming articulated or slur mouvements…
Lapping crater watched by cyclops…Prey to the spiritual maze…
Prison of life condition, freedom of coming future,
Antenatal language and beginnnings of rythm…
Surprising and bewitching discordances of complicity between
Ray Mauger’s guitar and Valentine Quintin‘s voice.

(2003)

"... her voice excels in sensuality, mostly in ballads. Her repertoire freely incorporates jazz and samba, but the true discovery is through her own compositions in french. Original voice in the small world of jazz vocalists. Funny Valentine is coming, come and listen ! "

"… succession of intimate mini concerts, impromaton is a playful surprise , a real sounding poetry, a excellent way to approach free improvisation".

- SBF4 MULTIKULTI BERLIN :
"Strong arrangements and a high-class production. A real discovery".

- CBOF-OTTAWA :
"very beautiful voice, musically nicely fiddled.

- RADIO CANADA MONTREAL :
"very creative musicians, ready to take risks, and not taking the easy way out; praiseworthy effort; Very interesting approach".

- CONTRORADIO FIRENZE :
"Valentine travels with the same maestria, through Africa, south America, and our old  Europe. Very sensual, and bold as well. Simply beautiful!"

..."A game of tones, timbres and melodies everpresent in this album, up to a collection in five variations becoming jewel boxes for the soloists, as the tremendous "variation 2", a true color explosion  where Yves Robert answers to Andrew Crocker's trumpet, in an Archimusic-like atmosphere ,in particular when Valentine Quintin splendidly plays with her instrument-voice, with the celloist Deborah Walker."