Five Other Pieces (+2) [feat. Andrea Parkins & Jim Black]

Baltimore native Ellery Eskelin continues to impress with this fourth recording by a trio that has created an important niche in the world of free jazz. Here, the group focuses on five offbeat standards of sorts: John McLaughlin's "The Dance of Maya," Lennie Tristano's "April," John Coltrane's "India," Charlie Haden's "Song for Ché," and George Gershwin's "Prelude II"). There are also two originals by the leader. Eskelin's roots run deep, and he knows how to swing hard with his soulful horn as well as take it "outside." Drummer Jim Black and accordionist Andrea Parkins are brilliant not only in their synergy, but also in their ability to blast boundaries. Their abilities to stay true to the music of others while deconstructing and reformulating a new synthesis make this recording more accessible — though no less innovative — than the trio's other excellent issues. The two pieces by Eskelin emanate their own peculiar, if perverse, charms.