Comment C'Est

Declaring that he is "no longer able to ignore overwhelming and outrageous recent world events", trumpeter and composer Michael Mantler leaves the world of abstract music behind to tackle a host of contemporary evils head-on in 'Comment c'est'.

His texts for the album, sung by French-born singer Himiko Paganotti, respond to what he calls "the all-pervading environment of hatred, greed and corruption." Comment c'est "refers specifically and reacts strongly to recent events and concerns itself with a range of deadly serious subjects, such as war, terrorism, hostages, migration, poverty, fear and the exceedingly sorry state of the world in general."

Personnel: Himiko Paganotti (voice), Michael Mantler (trumpet), David Helbock (piano), Max Brand Ensemble, Christoph Cech (conductor)