Windowsill
ears & eyes, 2019
8/10
A composer, vocalist and pianist, the New York City artist Lauren Lee aligns herself with Brad Mulholland, Marcos Varela and Andy O’Neill on this timeless jazz flavored debut album.
The title track starts the listen with Lee’s sublime vocal scatting, as her warm keys are complemented by Mulholland’s soulful sax and O’Neill’s precise drumming, and “X-Berg” follows with fascinating vocal acrobatics as Varela’s carefully plucked bass adds much atmosphere to the creative climate.
Halfway through, “Peaks And Valleys” brings Mulholland in on flute as the dreamy mood unfolds with cautiousness, while “Tomorrow Is Coming” explores a nearly prog-like delivery that pairs melodic singing with a sonically adventurous landscape.
The final two tracks, “Aback” and “She Who Journeys”, are equally unique, where the former nearly redefines free jazz in Lee’s inimitable vision, and the latter exits with frisky scatting amid strategic brass and agile drumming that is layered superbly.
Lee is armed with a captivating set of pipes that are entirely unpredictable and often serve to accent her piano playing, while other times providing texture to the musicianship, and each track here takes on its own distinct journey that you’ll be glad you were able to experience.
Travels well with: Jeannine Otis- Into My Heart; Diane Moser- Birdsongs