Home » Jazz Musicians » Yelena Eckemoff Discography
Scenes From the Dark Ages
Yelena Eckemoff
Label: L & H Production
Released: 2025
Views: 1,497
Tracks
Pilgrims; Village Tavern; From Peasants Life; Spell-Bound Fortress; Monks in Scriptorium; Cathedral; Legends of the Castle; Adventures of a Knight; Battle; Chivalry; Tournament; Masquerade; Alchemist; Quest; From the Life of the Lords.
Personnel
Yelena Eckemoff
piano
Riccardo Bertuzzi
guitar, electric
Carlo Nicita
flute
Eloisa Manera
violin
Riccardo Oliva
bass, electric
Trilok Gurtu
tablasAlbum Description
"This is clearly an ensemble effort. Yes, all the music comes from Eckemoff’s pen, but the narrative
qualities seem to have required an expanded sonic palette to be realized. Like Chick Corea’s forays
into storytelling (think Romantic Warrior), this isn’t just an album consisting of songs but one made up
of melodic threads that connect the roles and varied movements. This isn’t a jazz album, per se,
although improvisation, instrumental skill and the occasional groove permeate. Riccardo Bertuzzi’s
electric guitar forays recall Corea’s own sonic designs, along with the rapid-fire deliveries that come
from Trilok Gurtu’s uniquely combined percussion and drum work. The groove doesn’t drive the music,
which feels more orchestrated. And yet, as Eckemoff says about the project, “I didn’t want just guitar
and bass, I wanted rock guitar and electric bass and really strong drums.” In other words, more of a
prog-rock feel — in this case, tapered more to melodic expression instead of a driving beat. The flute
playing of Carlo Nicita goes a long way furthering this particular approach. “Monks In Scriptorium,” for
example, seems to inevitably lead to Nicita’s evocation of the song’s mood of mystery and tranquility.
Likewise with the aptly titled, solemn “Cathedral,” Eckemoff’s sonic palette coursing throughout.
Indeed, Scenes From The Dark... Ages surfaces as a realized childhood dream of her “Medieval
Symphony." - John Ephland for Downbeat
"Infusing spellbinding progressive rock and jazz with a
Medieval concept and delivered by a top-tier ensemble, Scenes From The Dark Ages immerses the
listener in a nearly-two-hour surrealistic and spellbinding experience." - Earsplit
Yelena’s newest
album is not a rendering of early-music tropes in modern jazz feels. Rather, in her writing on this
album Yelena synthesizes classical music constructs and her original melodies with the varied
rhythmic and stylistic innovations of jazz, fusion, and world music from the 21st century. Beyond this,
she invests each moment of the album with her own sense of delight in leading and performing this
unique material. --Suzanne Lorge
Album uploaded by Michael Ricci
