|
|
Nisht Azoy
Constellation
INDIE
- The second record by Montreal's BLACK OX ORKESTAR places the group
at the forefront of a 'new Jewish music' that rejects contemporary fusion
and musty nostalgia in equal measure. > With backgrounds in folk, punk-rock
and free jazz, the group's four musicians distill Balkan, Central Asian,
Arabic and Slavic sources into a coherent, impassioned sound that gives teeth
to old Jewish songs.
- 'Nisht Azoy' (Not Like This) builds dramatically on Black Ox's debut
'Ver Tanzt?' striking a similar balance between vocal and instrumental tunes,
but with more intensity, mystery, and a readiness to stretch things out,
whether in the incantatory opener "Bukharian" or the clomping crescendos
of "Az Vey Dem Tatn" and "Tsvey Tabelakh".
- Further upping the ante with greater use of percussion and group singing,
the band's entirely acoustic instrumentation pumps and pulses with explosive
energy and emotion. RADWAN MOUMNEH captures the 4-piece band with a detailed
warmth and authority, and a large cast of guest players expands the group
to bona fide orchestral size on "Tsvey Tabelakh".
- The slow plaintiveness of vocal songs "Ikh Ken Tsvey Zayn" and "Golem" rank
among the group's most spine-tingling, mesmerising moments. Taken as a whole,
the cycle of songs on 'Nisht Azoy' further opens up a world, inspired by
Jewish diasporic culture and politics, that challenges conventional appropriations
and forges music that is highly original, deeply felt and very much alive.
|
CD |
CST038CD |
$28.95 |
 |
|
LPx1 |
CST038LP |
$35.00 |
|
|
