e.s.l.

eye contact is the stirring debut CD from Vancouver’s E.S.L. – one of those magic projects conceived in the musical chemistry among firstclass artists. A wealth of chops and inspiration come together here, bringing ideas from all over and bending them into an album that ranges across the emotional map. From lavish to swinging, the songs are a gypsy blend that is at times playful and at others heartrending.

Of particular note here are the driving rhythms of ‘Secretariat,’ and the lush cello sounds and vocal ache of ‘Side by Side.’ Guest vocalists include Duffy Driediger of Ladyhawk, and vocalist Marta Jacubek-
McKeever ‘s father Irek Jaciubek on the Polish styled ‘Czarne Oczy.’

E.S.L. is a fusion of players who could each claim top billing anywhere else. But no room for egos here. Instead, we get an incomparable band that includes Polish born pianist and singer Marta Jacubek-McKeever
(Girl Nobody); noted Cree cellist Cris Derksen; fiddler Diona Davies (Po’Girl, Carolyn Mark, Be Good Tanyas) and drummer Joy Mullen (The People Verses, The Doers, Greg MacPherson). Separately, their credentials are impressive, together, they’re divine.