Les Égarés

Les Égarés is not just an album—it's a vibrant musical experiment and a poetic journey crafted by four master musicians: Ballaké Sissoko (kora), Vincent Segal (cello), Vincent Peirani (accordion), and Émile Parisien (saxophone). These artists, long recognized for transcending genres, merge their talents into a seamless, ego-free collaboration that defies categorization. The result is a fluid, genre-bending sound that draws from jazz, classical, traditional, and avant-garde influences.

The project began spontaneously during a 2019 festival in Lyon and evolved into a full-fledged quartet, with creativity driven by improvisation and deep musical listening rather than rigid rehearsals. Though originally planned to be recorded in Mali, political tensions led them to the French Alps, where their studio sessions unfolded like inspired jam sessions full of mutual trust and exploration.

Each member brought musical "gems"—pieces or themes—to be reimagined by the group. The result is a richly textured soundscape: from the Manding melodies of “Ta Nye” and “Banja,” to the exotic, meandering paths of “Izao,” the hypnotic spirals of “Amenhotep,” and the haunting lullaby quality of “Dou.” Even reinterpretations of existing works, like “Esperanza,” “Time Bum,” and Joe Zawinul’s “Orient Express,” are transformed into fresh, acoustic marvels.

What makes Les Égarés extraordinary is its collective spirit—there are no soloists, no showy performances, just four artists blending into a singular musical voice. The album delivers complex auditory illusions and emotional richness, offering a sonic experience that’s intimate, adventurous, and deeply human. It celebrates the joy of getting lost—musically and spiritually—and in doing so, it reveals the powerful beauty of creative freedom and harmony.