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Jay Epstein: Easy Company
ByThe album opens with left-field choice number one: John Williams' "Imperial March," better known as the Darth Vader theme from Star Wars (1977). Stripped of its cinematic context and orchestrations, it turns out to be a pleasant, swinging introduction to the album, although the mix tends to overemphasize Epstein's cymbals to the detriment of Bill Carrothers' delicate piano melody. "White Room," the Cream classic by Jack Bruce and Pete Brown from Wheels Of Fire (Polydor, 1968), fares less wellwithout Bruce's vocal the tune lacks focusbut the band's version of Carla Bley's "Ida Lupino," from Dinner Music (ECM 2000), is exquisite.
Epstein's own compositions stand up well in comparison to the better-known tunes. "Giza" is especially impressivea slinky, slow and occasionally fragmented tune with a strong, lyrical solo from bassist Anthony Cox.
The final four tunes are grouped together as the "Forgotten Soldier Suite," dedicated by Epstein to "all whose bloodshed has faded from memory." It is here that the trio produces the finest piece on the albuman original take on J Fred Coots and Sammy Lewis' "For All We Know." The song's messagetake the chance today, because tomorrow may never comemeans that the song has often been linked to lovers separated by conflict, and so its place in the Suite is unsurprising. Epstein's arrangement is underpinned by a slow, funereal march that immediately creates a somber mood. On top of this, Carrothers plays a fractured, metallic melody line which emphasizes the poignancy of the tune and serves to extend the sense of sadness and loss. It is not a hopeful reading of the song, but it is a starkly beautiful one.
Track Listing
Imperial March; Ida Lupino; N. R. Chi; Giza; Major Major; Moon and Sand; White Room; Never Let Me Go; Pick 3; Giza Plateau; Midnight, the Stars and You; Sgt. Rock; For All We Know; Maus.
Personnel
Jay Epstein
drumsJay Epstein: drums; Bill Carrothers: piano; Anthony Cox: bass.
Album information
Title: Easy Company | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: GoneJazz
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