CD Review: Zebrina's 'Hamidbar Medaber'

Zebrina
Hamidbar Medaber
Tzadik

A Canadian jazz pianist, Jonathan Feldman, is the brainchild behind Zebrina, which is a jazz-centered group with jam band qualities and Klezmer roots. Instead of pulsating brass and horns, Zebrina utilizes some keyboard effects and percussion to astound listeners. The instrumental tunes are edgy, fluid, and diverse. The flowing clarinet, swishy percussion, and avant-garde folk-rock stylings represent a slight new age nod that is very satisfying. There is a bit of down-tempo, funk, roots, and smooth jazz going around here. Eight catchy grooves round out the album in a fun and entertaining manner. All of the tracks are five to eight minutes long, which allows for plenty of variation that doesn't get boring. The electric guitar adds a modern spark to the some of the songs. Overall, Zebrina awakens the Jewish spirit with great jazz lines and contemporary grooves with a slight Klezmer influence. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Daphna Sadeh & The Voyagers' 'Reconciliation'

Daphna Sadeh & The Voyagers
Reconciliation
Tzadik

Daphna Sadeh is a double-bass player based in the U.K. Daphna creates a mix of Klezmer, classical, Middle Eastern, and Jazz-focused compositions that incorporate the clarinet, flute, recorder, 12-string guitar, acoustic/electric guitar, drums, darbuka, riq, frame drum, mandolin, and trombone. Ivor Goldberg adds vocals, but most of the eight tracks are instrumental. The sauntering rhythms and quirky horns, strings, and percussion create a mesmerizing mix of classic music for young and old. The upbeat rhythms are sometimes interrupted by slower, more somber tones indicative of Ladino or Sephardic music. At any rate, Daphna and her Voyagers play the instruments with such a fine command that each instrument has time to shine to its fullest potential without tiring. If you are seeking the sounds of the Middle East and Jewish Diaspora, then look no further. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Joel Rubin and Uri Caine's 'Azoy Tsu Tsveyt'

Joel Rubin and Uri Caine

Azoy Tsu Tsveyt

Tzadik

The classic klezmer music is seemingly reinvented by musical contemporaries, Joel Rubin and Uri Caine. Joel's lively, though pensive, clarinet playing is poignant and laid-back. Uri's rhodes and organ-playing makes the music sound folksy, rootsy, and most of all, dreamy. There are no additional instruments used on the recording. Even vocals are absent. The alternative and almost avant-garde rhodes work matches the sounds of Russian folk and smooth jazz. The clarinet propels the music forward without totally disregarding it's historical significance in Jewish and classical music along the way. Joel and Uri manage to succeed in producing a very good recording of klezmer music that is never dull or uninspiring. Fans of klezmer, Yiddish, Jewish, big band, clarinet, instrumental, avant-garde, and jazz music will find much to love about Azoy Tsu Tsveyt. ~ Matthew Forss