https://youtu.be/JonZsFFYjrs

Brittany Anjou - Piano
Gregory Chudzik - Bass (Ex. 9)
Nicholas Anderson - Drums (Ex. 9)
Ben Perowsky - Drums (9,10)
Ari Folman-Cohen - Bass (9,10)

Recorded by Tom Tedesco at Tedesco Studios, Paramus, NJ on November 30, 2015
except (9), Recorded by Andy Taub at Brooklyn Recording, Brooklyn, NY on March 20, 2016

All About Jazz - ocena * * * * 1/2:
There's a fascinating disjunction shaping the work of pianist Brittany Anjou. In one bend of being, her endeavors reflect extreme faith in the concept of catholicity. As a student of Esperanto—the "universal language" devised by Dr. Ludwig Lazarus Zamenhof in the late 19th century—and a musician warmly embracing an ecumenical approach, open lines and the ability to connect clearly play as prime factors in her art. But in an opposing arc there comes an air of mystery, a taste of aural arcana, both in her flights and advances. Anjou may conjure thoughts of far-ranging icons and/or influences through the keys—touchstones McCoy Tyner and Ahmad Jamal, teacher-mentors Don Friedman and Jason Moran, groundbreaking neo-classicist composer Béla Bartók, West African gyil guru Bernard Woma—but her sound is all her own.

The title of this mind-bending debut date—representative of the words "enamor, enigma, and reciprocity," and literally translated (from Esperanto to English) as "reciprocal love"—offers different layers of suggestion, playing to awe, personal expression, and human connection all at once. "Starlight," the first number on this all-original effort, underscores that three-pronged concept in its brief lifespan: the trippy bookends, a lovably quirky core, and simpatico sensibilities demonstrated by Anjou and her trio mates—bassist Gregory Chudzik and drummer Nicholas Anderson—are perfectly aligned with the album's thematic tenets.

The Reciprokata Suite—a multi-movement work spread out across the playlist—rightly captures a fair amount of the attention here. The first part—"Cyrene (Flight Of The Butterfly)"—presents knotty and knuckled brambles of melody at its outset and completion, capturing higher times in between. It makes for a fascinating listen, but it pales in comparison to much of what follows. The remainder of the sui.......
more

All About Jazz - ocena * * * * 1/2:
There's a fascinating disjunction shaping the work of pianist Brittany Anjou. In one bend of being, her endeavors reflect extreme faith in the concept of catholicity. As a student of Esperanto—the "universal language" devised by Dr. Ludwig Lazarus Zamenhof in the late 19th century—and a musician warmly embracing an ecumenical approach, open lines and the ability to connect clearly play as prime factors in her art. But in an opposing arc there comes an air of mystery, a taste of aural arcana, both in her flights and advances. Anjou may conjure thoughts of far-ranging icons and/or influences through the keys—touchstones McCoy Tyner and Ahmad Jamal, teacher-mentors Don Friedman and Jason Moran, groundbreaking neo-classicist composer Béla Bartók, West African gyil guru Bernard Woma—but her sound is all her own.

The title of this mind-bending debut date—representative of the words "enamor, enigma, and reciprocity," and literally translated (from Esperanto to English) as "reciprocal love"—offers different layers of suggestion, playing to awe, personal expression, and human connection all at once. "Starlight," the first number on this all-original effort, underscores that three-pronged concept in its brief lifespan: the trippy bookends, a lovably quirky core, and simpatico sensibilities demonstrated by Anjou and her trio mates—bassist Gregory Chudzik and drummer Nicholas Anderson—are perfectly aligned with the album's thematic tenets.

The Reciprokata Suite—a multi-movement work spread out across the playlist—rightly captures a fair amount of the attention here. The first part—"Cyrene (Flight Of The Butterfly)"—presents knotty and knuckled brambles of melody at its outset and completion, capturing higher times in between. It makes for a fascinating listen, but it pales in comparison to much of what follows. The remainder of the sui.......
more