Swept Away - CD

ENGLISH

The quartet of double-bassist Marc Johnson, pianist <span data-scayt_word="Eliane" data-scaytid="3">Eliane</span> Elias, drummer Joey Baron and saxophonist Joe <span data-scayt_word="Lovano" data-scaytid="4">Lovano</span> commune over music that is engaging, sensuous, poetic, swinging. Brazilian-born Elias previously joined Baron and <span data-scayt_word="Lovano" data-scaytid="5">Lovano</span> on Johnson's 2005 <span data-scayt_word="ECM" data-scaytid="6">ECM</span> album, "Shades of Jade", which reaped praise far and wide. The New York Times enthused over the "luminescence" created by the close partnership between Johnson and Elias, while The Village Voice said the album was "shimmering" yet "its lusciousness has all sorts of tensile <span data-scayt_word="strength.”" data-scaytid="1">strength."</span> The same words could apply to "Swept Away". The album includes melody-rich Elias compositions, ranging from the easy-flowing lyricism of "B Is for Butterfly" to a gorgeous romanticism in "Moments" that seems to stop time. Her relentlessly rocking, Eastern-tinged "One Thousand and One Nights" is another highlight, as is Johnson's evocation of after-hours atmosphere, "Midnight <span data-scayt_word="Blue.”" data-scaytid="2">Blue."</span> The album closes with the bassist's solo treatment of the old American folk song "Shenandoah," a poignant remembrance of his family from the Midwest.<br /> <br />