Category Archives: Reviews

CD review: Kristjan Järvi’s Absolute Ensemble performing their version of “Arabian Nights” in NY

Artist: Kristjan Järvi’s Absolute Ensemble
Title: Arabian Nights: Live at Town Hall NYC
Label: Enja Rec (Germany)
Cat.#:  ENJ-9571 2
Genre:  a melding of Middle Eastern musical genres with Western musical genres including jazz, rock, and contemporary classical, as a post-September 11 statement of unity

Reviewed by Leo Volf

Within moments of listening to Arabian Nights, the term world  music instantly springs to mind. The title of the album definitely gives the listener an idea of what part of the world he’s listening  to, but to simply categorize the music as an “east meets west” collaboration would be a great disservice to everyone involved. The list of influences seems quite eclectic and the ensemble executes the  ideas with great ease. At certain points, members of the ensemble can’t help but to put their own personal stamp on the music. Matt Herskowitz’s light piano fills on “Amr I Bismiki” are a perfect  example. Certainly, one would not find a jazz pianist in a traditional  Middle Eastern ensemble, but the in the case of the Absolute Ensemble  the mix is quite natural and almost seems necessary. And all of this  was recorded at one of the most respected acoustic environments in New  York  City, Town Hall.

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Concert review: Paul Motian…one of the most influential modern drummers freeing the drummer from strict time-keeping duties!

Venue: the Village Vanguard (NY)
Date: Thursday, July 28th, 2011.

Concert review by Audrey Fort

Personnel: Chris Cheek and Bill McHenry (saxophones), Steve Cardenas  (guitar), Mat Maneri (viola), Jacob Sacks (piano), Thomas Morgan  (bass) and Paul Motian (drums)

Witnessing Paul Motian perform should be a rite of passage for all  drummers. This octogenarian is especially known for his innovative  role in pianist Bill Evan’s trio in the 1950’s and 60’s. Along with  bassist Scott LaFaro, Motian helped liberate the rhythm section from  its role as mere timekeeper. Motian still plays regularly with  various groups that he leads in New York City, primarily at the  Village Vanguard.

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CD recommendation: Addis Acoustic Project Revives Classic Ethiopian Grooves on Upcoming Tewesta “Remembrance”

Artist: Addis Acoustic Project
Title: Tewesta (REMEMBRANCE)
Label: World Village
Genre: Ethiopia pop
Release Date: 08/09/2011

Comprised of some of the outstanding acoustic musicians Addis Ababa has to offer, the Addis Acoeustic Project brings forth Ethiopia’s pop tunes from the 1950s and 1960s in a new light. Directed and arranged by guitarist Girum Mezmur, the Addis Acoustic Project unfolds vintage Ethiopian music from that era in a fresh way. With influences of traditional East-African, Jazz, and Latin musical styles, these pieces have time and again won the hearts of many Ethiopian and World Music lovers alike.

The band, made up of veteran musicians such as Ayele Mamo (Mandolin), as well as contemporary musicians such as Girum Mezmur (Guitar/ Accordion/Leader), Henock Temesgen (Double Bass), Nathaniel Tessema (Drums), Dawit Ferew (Clarinet), and Mesale Legesse (Kebero/Percussions), produces unique sounds dear to most Ethiopians and has attracted a greater world music audience.

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Two guitarists – Marc Ribot and Nels Cline – two men…at Le Poisson Rouge

Date: June 15, 2011
Venue: Le Poisson Rouge

Concert review by Jim Hoey

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Marc Ribot and Nels Cline paired up for this guitar duo set on the recent anniversary of Le Poisson Rouge (June 15th). For an hour and a half, over the course of 7 morphing, improvisational sound pieces that ranged from country to rock, through psychedelic noise, to jazz and back, the two legends of guitar traded licks, riffs, tones, dissonance, space – and they shared time, all in front of a sold out crowd that likely included musicians, journalists and New Yorkers on the avant-garde scene who remembered the heyday of Tonic and the old Knitting Factory when shows like this were much more common.

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