Into The Open

Good, enjoyable, mainstream jazz from Sarah Elgeti, from Denmark. Elgeti plays tenor sax, soprano sax, & flute, and she composed all the tracks here on her debut record. The core group is a quintet: there’s another female reeds player (alto & bari sax), guitar, bass and drums. This combo is extended with various guest musicians on tracks 5, 8, & 10. Nothing boundary breaking; a record you could play in your apartment when friends are over.

All instrumental. No FCC issues

1 Slow, gentle, pastoral. Pretty melodies on tenor sax. Minimal accompaniment. (2:30)
2 ** Mid-tempo. Spirited. Good ensemble playing. Strong tenor, elec guitar, bass. (6:18)
3 * Slow, peaceful, idyllic. Nice interplay b/t tenor & alto. Fine acoustic guitar solo. (7:50)
4 * Mid-tempo soul jazz. Groovy feel with funky elec piano. Fine alto sax solo. (5:45)
5 Mid-tempo. Showcase for Elgeti’s flute. Backed by alto and a quiet marimba. (4:47)
6 * Mid-slow. Soft at first, then grows. Saxes backed by acoustic guit & bowed bass. (5:27)
7 Mid-tempo. Harsh & dissonant in places. Squawking, whinnying sounds on sax. (3:34)
8 ** Mid-fast, upbeat, hard bop. Band extended to four saxes. Strong work on piano. (4:47)
9 Mid-tempo. Guitar & bass open, then flute & alto trade melodies. Light & airy. (4:11)
10 Slow, soft ballad. Tenor & alto trade a gentle melody. Min piano, bass & brushes. (6:46)
11 Mid-tempo. Unsually avant-garde for this record. Dissonant and contrapuntal. (4:37)
12 * The dance mix of track 2. Slightly faster. Add electronic drums & space sounds. (4:43)