Re-imagination
Eldar's Re-imagination is an album filled with creative and bold tracks by this self-assured jazz pianist. He places a new twirl on his work by infusing electronic sounds that bring a whole new life to each song.
"I Remember When" has magical piano work from Eldar and its sirenic, upbeat rhythm will make listeners smile with jubilation. Although the title might make listeners think the melody will be somber, it is quite the opposite as it seems Eldar is reminiscing about times that were enraptured rather than sad, and listeners can do the same as they listen.
On "Out Of Nowhere," the electronic sounds maraud the intro, along with what sounds like radio static. Again, the title of the track is right on the money. Some might go so far as to think of the track as a communication from outer space, as muffled voices also encroach on the rhythm, stating an unintelligible message.
On "Place St. Henri," Eldar covers an Oscar Peterson song wonderfully. More electronic sounds are heard with percussion accompanying them. The futuristic bend is even more pronounced on this track, as the rhythm seems to skip from time to time, evoking a pace that will stick in listeners' minds long after the song finishes.
"Tears" has Eldar portraying classic piano play at its hilt. There are evanescent respites intermixed throughout, but that only adds to the soft yet maudlin tone of the song. Its delayed pulse is one that could make listeners envision sobs of either joy or pain, but Eldar lets listeners select which.
On "South Bixel," more of what sounds like transmission static is present, then wicked fast piano play in a repeated regularity. Percussion enters in between, but then the piano comes into the forefront, full blast, as Eldar's prowess on the 88 keys shows itself in all its majesty.
Eldar's Re-imagination reinvents classical jazz piano into something with a bit of a whirl. The electronic sounds bring a burst of stimulating flavor to the tracks, which might delight or turn off listeners, depending on their jazz taste.