Label: You&Me Music, 2023
Personnel - Eunmi Lee: piano; Alan Ferber: trombone (#1,4,5,7); John Ellis: tenor saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet (#1,2,3,5,7); Remy LeBeuef: alto and baritone saxophone (#4,5,7); Jon Gordon: alto and soprano saxophone (#5,7); Tony Kadlec: trumpet (#5); Vinicius Gomes: guitar; Matt Clohesy: bass; Ari Hoenig: drums; Joyce Hammann: violin (#2,3,7); Meg Okura: violin (#3);
New York-based Korean pianist and composer Eunmi Lee gathered a first-class ensemble for her debut album, Introspection, which falls into an engagingly modern mainstream milieu. The seven original compositions comprising this well-rounded program have been written since 2017, revealing a skillful sense of reinvention in the arrangements.
By expressing the same starkly expressive nature of Joe Henderson’s pieces with Chick Corea, “Gimmick” manifests itself within advanced post-bop idioms shaped with terse phrases and pronouncedly accented rhythms and staccatos. The theme is outlined in unison by trombonist and co-producer Alan Ferber and saxophonist John Ellis, who inaugurates the improvisation section with articulation and exuberance. The piano solo that follows is more inner directed, blossoming with delicacy in the melody and boldness in the rhythmic process. In its denouement, the piece finds a vamping space for drummer Ari Hoenig’s broadening perspectives.
The band’s inviting tones shine particularly bright on “Narcissism”, which, addressing the tricky topic of the internet and social media, is professed in five with a type of flow that recalls the quintet of Dave Holland. Under the sturdy rhythmic drive of bassist Matt Clohesy and Hoenig, the soloists - Ferber, altoist Remy LeBeuef and Lee - offer big hooks and good vibes. By the end, it's the Brazilian guitarist Vinicius Gomes who discourses with complementary fills from the horn players.
The chamber piece “Suspicion”, composed for strings and bass clarinet, has a cinematic lethargy in it, whereas “5.19”, written with new cultures and people in mind, finds a solid middle ground between flexibility and precision. As a consequence of its sophisticated form, this latter piece goes from the rubato piano prelude to a slow waltz that is taken along by propelling brushes and reflective harmonies. Then, it transiently veers into a 5/4 tempo in a push-forward stroke before returning to the dreamy waltzing state for the solos.
The luxurious swing of “Mr. Weird” takes us to classic big bands in jazz - Basie, Ellington and Gil Evans are references - as the frontline is augmented to five elements by the presence of trumpeter Tony Kadlec and saxophonist Jon Gordon. With the spotlight on Gomes, “Azure” is the charming closer of a pleasurable first album that puts Lee’s compositional capabilities on display.
Favorite Tracks:
01 - Gimmick ► 03 - 5.19 ► 04 - Narcissism