Mélusine (2023)

"A serpent woman haunts Cecile McLorin Salvant's dreams on her boldly realized seventh album. Inspired by the folktale most famously detailed by 14th century French writer Jean d'Arras, "Mélusine" tells the tale of a shapeshifting maiden, half-serpent/half-woman, whose righteous anger takes on ever-more dualistic meanings under Salvant's dynamic musical sway. Having been lavished with accolades, including several Grammy Awards for her swinging jazz and French chanson-infused albums, Salvant has increasingly leaned into the more stylistically experimental. It was an approach she took to new levels with 2022's "Ghost Song". Centered on the title track, which she composed during the "Ghost Song" sessions, Mélusine is a gorgeously realized production. Although there are some English lyrics here, the album features the most French Salvant has sung on record. Thankfully, she offers translations of each song with a sentence that also highlights how each track illuminates the story." (Allmusic, 4,5 uit 5 sterren)