National Geographic Music (National Geographic)

Jean-Philippe Rykiel 's second solo album et the first in… 22 years of a professional musical career started at 17 years old. " Under The Tree " reveals a unique and very original artist curious and passionately found of world music (especially African), of jazz, of classical western music or electronic experimentations. « Music is also human encounters » says Jean-Philippe and as an evidence, the beautiful and quiet dialogue with the kora player Yakuba Sissoko in Conversation and the jubilatory Kovan, where Nasser Ibrahim's tanbûr (a traditional string instrument from Kurdistan) sets Jean-Philippe's piano on fire (or reverse). Another guest is Malian artist Saki Kouyate whose acoustic guitar joyfully resounds in Blue World and then there is the heavenly voice of the divine Mama Kouyate in « Mali Sadjio », a version recorded by Jean-Philippe and her (under the name « La Chanson de Maalin Saadyo) for the album « Il En A Toujours Ete » from the late storyteller Mamadou Diallo.

— CalabashMusic.com