Elijah Jeffery & Eddie Gripper: Elijah Jeffery & Eddie Gripper

English pianist Eddie Gripper was last featured on All About Jazz in 2023 with his debut album, Home (Ubuntu Music). He returns in the company of vocalist Elijah Jeffery with their self-titled album, featuring eight tracks, seven of which are original songs, together with an adaptation of a 17th-century aria.

Jeffrey has a distinctive voice; he commands attention not only from his impressive vocal range but also from the clarity of his delivery. With his phrasing showing influences from musical theatre, his numerous projects have seen him collaborate with Ian Shaw, Claire Martin OBE and Alex Garnett.

Gripper's early training in classical music informs much of his playing, as does the influence of former mentor Huw Warren. His fluid lines carry lightness, melodic sophistication and a mature approach. In contrast to his previous release, there are no long improvisational passages; his accompaniments are concise and precise as both he and Jeffrey give up everything to the service of the song. Their joint song-writing style often carries an influence of the singer-songwriters of the 1970s.

Written and recorded within a tight time frame of eight weeks, there is no place to hide on this album, no studio effects or multi-tracking, just voice and piano. This intense focus has led to some highly impressive songs, clearly illustrated by the glow of the opening track "Shifting Seasons." After a rhythmic piano lead-in that would be at home on many singer- songwriter albums, Jeffrey's warm voice excites interest as he draws the listener into his narrative. Gripper's piano prompts and fills so well that the absence of the typical accompaniment of drums and bass goes unnoticed.

Free from modern affectations, Jeffrey's vocals once again draw you in to "Good Honest Men," but this time his sweet voice contrasts with the acerbic nature of the lyrics, all set against Gripper's gorgeous melody. The gently unfolding "Close Your Eyes" keeps the emotions high before Jeffrey's voice moves to its higher register, next to Gripper's well-judged accompaniment, in the vintage show tune style of "Because Of You."

There is a gloomier side to the second half of the album, although that is not immediately apparent as voice and piano combine brilliantly to drive the mysterious narrative forward in the catchy standout track, "True Love Never Dies." It is a story with a twist, enlivened by a fine piano break and inventive vocal delivery. "Dido's Lament (When I Am Laid In Earth)," the closing aria from a Henry Purcell opera, is a dark tale that shows off Jeffrey's range. It keeps good company, as "Love Is A Game" and the intriguing "Swan Song" are both tracks with a brooding nature.

Both halves of the duo excel on this recording, both in their quality and restraint, but it is their joint passion for songwriting that shines brightest. The 33- minute running time emphasises how well focused these songs are, their incisive nature driven by the duo's purpose to distill their bittersweet stories to their essence. Arching across numerous genres, including alternative jazz, pop and folk, this combination of intelligent lyrics, excellent vocals and inventive melodies explores concepts of love and darkness in an enthralling and absorbing way.