In previous albums, pianist/composer Yelena Eckemoff has explored themes ranging from pastoral settings and seasons of the year to Biblical Psalms, creating ensembles of various sized including artists such as Ralph Alessi, Chris Potter, Joey Baron and Ben Monder. This time around, she explores the world of colors, with each of the 14 hue titled pieces having the pianist joined solely by drummer Manu Katche’, and the result is a rich palate of sounds and moods.
I’m sure we all have associations when certain colors of the Crayola box are mentioned, and the duo excel in creating rich themes. The two form a big sound on a dreamy “Black” while the contrasting “White” (which bookend the album) is a brushed and pulsated lyric. The two form ripples on “Bordeaux” and go herky jerky on “Green” as they dig deep on a staccato intro to “Orange.” Katche’ gives a rich backbeat to “Indigo” and is reflective with the pianist on an elliptical “Violet.” All of Eckemoff’s themes are richly textured and, dare I say, multi-colored as they take the listener on a technicolor trip.