David Ecker: Respite (Despite)

The Covid pandemic has been educational. One of its lessons is (to paraphrase a famous movie): music finds a way. If getting together in the studio is a problem, then grab the technology and go the remote recording route. It worked for guitarist Justin Morell and drummer Mark Ferber on 2022's Exit Music For Intelligent Life On Earth (Sonic Frenzy Records), and it works for pianist David Ecker in 2023, with his sophomore outing, Respite (Despite).

The recording features a fine quintet, Ecker joined by Curtis Nowosad on drums, bassist Barry Stephenson, Jake Chapman on vibes, and saxophonist Mitch Guido. The individual parts were recorded separately, with nobody knowing what any of the others was doing. Then it was Ecker's job to put it all together, molding an engaging modern jazz sound which combines a good deal of stylistic variation.

The title tune and opener begins with some pianistic relentlessness, a joy-filled forward momentum with the addition of some lush keyboard washes, before a shift into a bass solo comped nicely by drums and piano. "Overcast" brings in the mood of Chick Corea's Elektric Band, circa the late '80s, rhythmically fluid and melodically engaging. "Lost In The Woods" has a gloomy vibe—the trees rise high in a close-packed setting, rays of sunlight (from the vibes) beaming down out of a dark canopy; the atmosphere brightens as the sun approaches its zenith.

"Better Angels" opens with Ecker's wistful piano inside the subtle touches of the bass and drums accompaniment. It gathers momentum, turning into another example of how deftly Ecker enhances the music with his synth work. Then the angels lift off and fly free, soaring on Mitch Guido's smooth-toned saxophone.