Swept Away (Marc Johnson album)

Review

On Swept Away Johnson and Elias commune over music that is engaging and sensual, lyrical and swinging. Brazilian-born Elias previously joined ECM veterans Baron and Lovano on Johnson’s album Shades of Jade (2005), which reaped praise far and wide. The New York Times enthused over the “luminescence” created by the close partnership between Elias and Johnson, while The Village Voice said the album was “shimmering” yet its “lusciousness has all sorts of tensile strength.” The same words suit Swept Away, which includes a brace of melody-rich Elias compositions, ranging from the easy-flowing title track to the smoky romanticism of «B Is for Butterfly» and after-hours atmosphere of «It's Time». Johnson’s brightly grooving, Eastern-tinged «When The Sun Comes Up» is another highlight, and the album closes with Johnson’s solo bass treatment of the old American folk song «Shenandoah». Swept Away comprises music of depth that is disarmingly easy to love.

Guardian.co.uk critique Dave Gelly, The Observer, in his review of Swept Away stated: "The thing that sets this apart from the usual quartet or trio set is the extraordinary understanding between Elias and Lovano, whose thoughts seem often to run in parallel. Johnson's double bass tone is a joy, especially in his solo version of Shenandoah.

Reception

Both the Guardian and Allmusic awarded the album 4 stars.

Track listing

All tracks except for "Shenandoah" composed by Eliane Elias (1–3, 5, 7, 8, 10) and Marc Johnson (4, 6, 8–10).

1. "Swept Away" – 6:18
2. "It's Time" – 5:49
3. "One Thousand and One Nights" – 8:18
4. "When The Sun Comes Up" – 6:36
5. "B Is for Butterfly" – 8:05
6. "Midnight Blue" – 6:00
7. "Moments" – 5:50
8. "Sirens of Titan" – 5:55
9. "Foujita" – 6:36
10. "Inside Her Old Music Box" – 5:27
11. "Shenandoah" – 4:35

Personnel

Additional personnel