Divano by Biomania
‘Divano’ is the latest sleek crossover from Parisian saxophonist Thierry Lemaitre (ephemerals, Wolfgang Valbrun) and his talented collective Biomania.
Fusing modern jazz, soul and hip hop with French panache this crew of five are tight as you like on the bass-led track with an arrangement and melody that harks back to the elegant jazz funk of the 70’s pioneers like Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis et al. Yet there’s an undeniably modern boom bap feel to the production with more than a hint of Dilla and Badu about it.
Relaxed and reclining pocket rhythms bounce off each other as Thierry’s slick and smooth sax notes glide over the top for a huge groove that will get all heads nodding in unison.
Exploring a wide expanse of musical territories is their calling card and with two fantastic tracks released so far it’s easy to predict that this band will have an impact.
Thierry Lemaitre’s musical journey began at age five with the cello, followed by piano, ultimately leading him to the saxophone as a teenager. After winning a prestigious jazz saxophone award, he immersed himself in the vibrant Parisian scene, collaborating with a variety of jazz and soul-funk ensembles.
With an active presence across European stages, Thierry’s multidimensional approach and boundless creativity have established him as a sought-after musician in the industry. His previous projects have garnered accolades from influential platforms like Triple J, KCRW, FIP, BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 1, CLASH and Mixmag, and his sounds have been used in a huge array of sync from ‘Homeland’ to international adverts for Orange, setting the stage for high expectations surrounding this new venture.
Biomania is Thierry Lemaitre’s latest project. Initiated as a solo beat-making venture during the pandemic, the project soon developed in a new direction thanks to the four outstanding Parisian musicians who joined him. Their interplay is fresh and organic, mixing soul vibes, vintage hip-hop grooves, and jazz improv.