Bangalore
Kollision Records & Melmax, 2023
9/10
Elie Dufour, Marc Michel, and Yann Phayphet, i.e. EYM Trio, come together with Varijashree Venugopal for these spontaneous and worldly jazz tracks.
The cautious “No Madness” opens with Phayphet’s skilled bass amid Michel’s punchy drums, as Venugopal’s wordless vocals set the mood, and “Borders” follows with swirling keys from Dufour that emit much grace and wonder before the singing acrobatics enter.
The title track lands at the halfway point and uses Venugopal’s rich flute and lower registers on the piano, while “Jagadoddarana”, the best selection, pairs powerful singing with gorgeous piano.
The final 2 tracks are equally creative, where “Emile” showcases the precise bass plucking and gentle keys alongside gorgeous vocals, and “Namaste!” exits with busy and bare textures that highlight the distinct pipes from Venugopal and each player’s inimitable and exciting talents.
Somewhere between jazz and Carnatic music, everything was recorded in a live setting with just 1 take necessary, and each moment illuminates a very worldly and passionate ability that few others could replicate.
Travels well with: Greg Chako- Standard Roots; Olin Clark- Ephemera