Feel Again
Self-Released, 2021
8/10
A Russian native, Elena Maque knows her way around a saxophone and has a voice you won’t soon forget, and here along with many musicians she offers us 6 originals and 3 covers on this diverse debut album.
“Hey Friend” starts the listen with playful drumming and warm keys as Maque’s well timed brass and expressive singing guides the cultured jazz opener that welcomes grooves, and “Lover Man” follows with a charming, soulful quality that embraces plucked bass and spirited guitar from Leonardo Amuedo, amid the bright sax bouts.
In the middle, “And I Love Her” flows with a very pretty climate of graceful keys, soft guitar and Maque’s gorgeous pipes, while “Weightless” offers a cautiously textured instrumental that glides with an agile and gorgeous delivery which benefits from Michael Glynn’s bass and Darin Clendenin’s keys.
Near to the end, “Chance” bounces with an infectious energy that showcases Maque’s sublime sax playing, and “Like A Song” exits the listen with Katisse’s dreamy flute, vocal scatting and frisky percussion in the festive and Latin flavored finish.
A very well thought out and precisely executed first album, Maque and company make the most of every track, emitting a timeless and worldly jazz listen that you won’t be able to listen to just one time.
Travels well with: David Janeway- Distant Voices; June Bisantz- 7 Shades Of Snow