Forget-Me-Not

YELENA ECKEMOFF: Forget-Me-Not
self-released, 2012

MODERN JAZZ – Russian-born pianist with a very open sound. At times it’s ethereal, with more than a hint of avant-garde shading to it, but at other points she grooves with a relaxed, highly appealing vibe. This feels very much like an ECM record, and the presence of shape-shifting percussionist Marilyn Mazur is a big part of that. But Eckemoff doesn’t settle into any easy niche, making this a really interesting disc.

All good. Fo’s Picks: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8

1. 9:09 – starts free, slow and serene, but eventually falls into a brisk groove
2. 8:51 – wide open piano/perc dialogue, an offbeat stroll, and very quiet solos
3. 7:45 – contemplative bass sets up a sweet ballad that goes quite askew
4. 3:34 – crisp, geometric piano lines; tight, innovative trio sound here
5. 5:00 – slightly off-balance clockwork rhythm, steps carefully and melodically
6. 7:29 – slow calm, then gently ascending and fragile, semi-classical feel
7. 6:05 – melancholy piano moves into an elegant dance, optimistic sound
8. 5:40 – trio spins & sparkles in odd meter, like a patched together machine
9. 8:39 – free trio interplay; cool perc in relaxed stroll, floats into fantasyland
10. 9:30 – slow, mopey trio, very open with prominent bass

[ Fo ] - April 2012