Philémon Cimon Essentials

Philémon Cimon Essentials

Philémon Cimon's 2011 debut didn't just betray an affinity for the low-key romanticism of Cuban jazz—he actually decamped to Havana to record it, infusing lilting acoustic serenades like “J'arrive toujours un peu trop tard” with the requisite cigar-smoky ambience. But from those humble beginnings, Cimon has blossomed into one of Quebec's most compelling chameleons, adapting a '70s glam rock strut on “Vieille Blonde,” strumming out jangly power pop on “Au cinéma,” and transforming himself into the prom-night crooner of your dreams on early '60s throwbacks like “Je t'ai jeté un sort.”