Yelena Eckemoff - In The Shadow Of A Cloud (2017) [Hi-Res]

A self-described ‘old fashioned romantic,’ Moscow-born pianist-composer Yelena Eckemoff once again demonstrates uncommon lyricism and a gift for melody on In the Shadow of a Cloud, her most upbeat and accomplished recording to date. With a pristine touch and refined sense of form, Eckemoff organically blends classical elements with jazz improvisation in her evocative pieces that strike a delicate balance between being through-composed and full of open-ended exploration. Highly affecting music on In the Shadow of a Cloud is imbued with remarkable band interplay and daring improvisations from the jazz heavyweights - crew of New Yorkers in Chris Potter on multiple reeds and flute, Adam Rogers on guitar, Drew Gress on bass and Gerald Cleaver on drum - who serve as her sideman on this ambitious 2-CD set. In the Shadow of a Cloud is another personal statement from the prolific composer. Whether it’s her memories of the sound of grasshoppers in a country field, the massive iron railroad bridge with wooden walkways near her home, her grandpa’s motorboat, the sensation of swinging in a hammock with her mother or the fragrance of wild lilies mixed with the smells of warm asphalt and potatoes and onions frying on kerosene burners, Eckemoff’s In the Shadow of a Cloud stands as an evocative soundtrack for the life she left behind in Russia when she and her husband emigrated to North Carolina in 1991.

Eckemoff sheds her skin once again and comes in with a classic, ECM worthy date that finds her mixing angular jazz with left leaning impressionism aided by a crew of experienced New Yorkers that know how to deliver this sound and vision. This is the sound of her memories of days gone by, spread over two discs with some improv aces that know how to sound like she feels. Certainly something different and out of the ordinary. (Chris Spector for Midwest Record)

„The title track, which opens, is moody and atmospheric in a quintessential ECM-ish sense, though it contains elements of polyphony between the instruments that draws on Eckemoff s classical background. Potter delivers a powerful tenor solo here that culminates in some urgent free blowing in the rubato section. The saxophonist also shines on the driving Saratovsky Bridge and more introspective Fishing Village, both underscored by Cleaver s intuitive and interactive pulse on the kit. Potter delivers a rare turn on flute on the dreamy 5/4 Waters of Tsna River, which also features brilliant, cascading solos by Rogers and Yelena herself.

The gentle Acorn Figurines, underscored by Cleaver s delicate brushwork, is a kind of jazz sonata for quartet showcasing Rogers signature legato flow on the fretboard. Gress also turns in an arresting arco solo on this unique hybrid number. Guitarist Rogers also shines on the surging On the Motorboat, which shifts into the rubato zone midway through, resulting in some of the most provocative and free-wheeling moments of the session from all the participants. Album 1 closes with the lazy meditation Hammock Stories, which sets the perfect tone for a hot summer day in the backyard.

Album 2 opens with jaunty quartet swinger Picnic in the Oaks, which has Rogers, Eckemoff, Gress and Cleaver all contributing potent solos. Potter returns on soprano sax for the engaging Waltz of the Yellow Petals, which is fueled by Cleaver s loosely swinging approach to the kit and also features another remarkably fluid solo from Rogers. Potter s soprano solo here is outstanding, full of animated expression and surprises along the way, while Yelena engages in some spirited exchanges with him and Rogers near the end of the piece.

Another quartet number, Trail Along the River, has a distinctly through-composed quality, though Eckemoff and Rogers break loose for some sparkling solos within the form. Potter returns on soprano sax on the moody Lament, then adds a new color to the proceedings with his potent bass clarinet work on the driving Vision of a Hunt. The melancholy quartet ballad The Fog showcases Potter s soaring soprano sax alongside Yelena on piano, Gress on bass and Cleaver on drums. Album 2 closes with the very pleasant Tambov Streets on a Summer Night.

While some of her past works, like Leaving Everything Behind and Blooming Tall Phlox are largely nostalgic, the story of In the Shadow of a Cloud ends with an optimistic outlook at the present and future. As Eckemoff explains, In the last piece, Tambov Streets on a Summer Night, I turn down the opportunity to re-live my past as a shadow, invisible to all, and instead choose the present: Even though my heart aches with love/For the people and places of past days/I don t belong in those times anymore./My time is in the present/Where I have many tasks unfinished, where my life s work awaits me./No matter that the road before me grows shorter, I am eager to see what the future holds in store for me.“ (From Press Release by Bill Milkowski)