Michelle Blades & Robin Fincker/Janick Martin: New Music & Live Performances

Paris – A diverse range of musical talent took center stage on Sunday, February 22nd, as Radio France Internationale (RFI) showcased both established and emerging artists in its ‘SessionLive’ program. The broadcast featured Panamanian-American singer-songwriter Michelle Blades, alongside the French duo Vison Visu, comprised of saxophonist Robin Fincker and accordionist Janick Martin.

Michelle Blades, whose musical journey spans continents and genres, presented tracks from her forthcoming album, Where To?, including the song “You’re The Mother, You’re The Man.” The track, initially written in 2018 in Mexico City, draws on personal memories and reflections on motherhood, evolving from a private mantra addressed to her own mother into a broader exploration of parental roles. Blades’ musical approach, influenced by artists like Meredith Monk, incorporates experimentation with silence and spatial arrangements, honed during her time in Arizona and further developed during recording sessions in southern France.

The recording process for Where To? took place over nine days at La Bergerie, where Blades collaborated with Emmanuel Mario (Astrobal), Nina Savary, Gaétan Nonchalant, and Vincent Guyot. Nonchalant’s addition of Rhodes piano textures added layers to the song’s repetitive structure, while layered vocals created a balance between density and minimalism. The accompanying music video was directed by Ilan Zerrouki.

Blades’ career has seen her move between the United States, Panama, and France, collaborating with a diverse array of artists. She has worked with Pomme as a bassist, contributed arrangements to Flavien Berger’s album Plouf!, and been a member of both La Brume and La Femme, touring internationally with the latter.

Following Blades’ performance, RFI turned its attention to Vison Visu, the collaborative project of Fincker and Martin. Their recently released album, Vison Visu, released on October 17, 2025, explores the interplay between saxophone, clarinet, and diatonic accordion.

The duo’s formation stemmed from their shared experience in Vincent Courtois’s quintet Finis Terrae, where a strong musical connection quickly developed. Vison Visu’s music delves into melodies from various eras and regions – including Brittany, Scotland, and Cajun country – challenging conventional phrasing through a combination of fractured rhythms, ornamentation, and improvisation. The album’s title is taken from a quote by Raymond Queneau, reflecting a sense of intimate confrontation and shared space.

The album was recorded directly at Studio La Buissonne, allowing Fincker and Martin to capture their spontaneous interplay without extensive editing. The recording process involved performing pieces in single takes, emphasizing improvisation and sonic exploration. Mixing was handled by Gérard de Haro, with mastering by Nicolas Baillard, also at La Buissonne.

The ‘SessionLive’ broadcast featured Vison Visu performing the title track, “Vison Visu,” as well as “Écoutez la plaisante histoire” and “Al Lann Melen,” showcasing the duo’s ability to blend traditional and contemporary musical elements. The program highlighted the duo’s shared passion and intensity, and their unique approach to musical storytelling.

Both Michelle Blades and Vison Visu represent a commitment to musical exploration and collaboration, offering listeners a glimpse into the diverse and evolving landscape of contemporary music. Blades’ introspective songwriting and Vison Visu’s innovative instrumental dialogue demonstrate a willingness to push boundaries and embrace new sonic territories.