Search - Ellery Eskelin :: Ten

Fully improvised

Adolph Pinelad | Montreal, Quebec Canada | 03/15/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Here the Eskelin-Parkins-Black trio finds itself joined by Marc Ribot (guitar), Melvin Gibbs (electric bass) and Jessica Constable (vocals).

This is not the most satisfying Eskelin album in that expectations prior to listening are probably too big. For me anyway, the fact that Marc Ribot is added to the mix justifies such high expectations. This is a good album. But the fully improvised setting is not always the best terrain for Eskelin. His playing demands more structure from other players, and it takes a while for the proper dynamics to build up and set in.

For me, this is an album of moments. When it catches you off-guard you think `wow' `what is this?'. This has happened to me on several occasions when my ipod is on shuffle and it lands on a track from this album. That drew me back to this album. But it fails to deliver under all circumstances. Only certain moments of it really work, or only at certain times are you in the mood for this adventurous listen. But those moments when it kicks in are pretty spectacular. Just for those moments it is a worthwhile addition. Take into account that I am biased by other Eskelin recordings and when they work, they really work.

"