Escape
Self-Released, 2024
8/10
The rising pianist Ellie Lee makes a significant impression on this debut album, where 7 originals and 1 standard are fleshed out with help from Steve Wilson, Steve LaSpina and Jongkuk Kim.
The melodic title track starts the listen, where Kim’s fluid drums and Wilson’s warm sax complement the meticulous keys, and “Beyond The Blue” follows with firm piano amid soulful brass and LaSpina’s flowing bass lines.
Deeper into the listen, the lower register of “Melrose Breeze” uses the stylish rhythm section in cozy ways, while “Toss And Turn” showcases a strong attention to detail, where the swirling keys align with intimate sax.
“On The Road” and “New Chapter” exit the listen, as the former emits a heartfelt dreaminess, and the latter rumbles a bit, but not without a charming groove.
Lee is classically trained, but shifted to jazz for the freedom of the genre, and these well crafted tunes are as unpredictable as they are memorable.
Travels well with: Paul Kendall- Whisper Not; Ben Miller Trio- Feathers Of Ma’at