Emigre'

A set of impressionistic European folk pieces inspired by the photographs of musicians and scenes by Hungarian photographer André Kertész in the early 20th century. Kertész’ innovation was shooting people, particularly soldiers in WW I, in repose, away from their posts. Many art photographers have of course, subsequently adopted this “little unimportant scenes” style. In music, it is probably most typically represented in the lo-fi movement. This album, while maintaining that “small moments” feel, is not anywhere lo-fi. Reichman is a multi-instrumentalist with a long CV. Here, he is bandleader for the first time. These compositions are uniformly evocative and beautiful, quiet and sparse, and contemplative. The instrumentation is drawn from, where possible, by instruments that Reichman saw in Kertész’ photos. There are some similarities in the music, and in Kertész’ life, to Jewish themes of dislocation and transience. Here, that theme is put forth most effectively by the tunes mostly being in restless, unsettled minor keys, where they’re not outright abstract. Gorgeous, refined folk music. Highest recommendation.

1. Zithering over a yawning drone
2. Accordion and zither march evokes both klezmer and the Hungarian countryside
3. Placid guitar and light touches of viola, accordion
4. Snappy little clarinet and piano exchange
5. Similar to track 3
6. Just zither (cimbalom in Hungarian)
7. Like a knock-kneed horse clip-clopping into town; humorous guitar/banjo base for a variety of funky and abstract solos; that the title is “Paris, c. 1930” seems a droll comment on the condition of Paris between the world wars
8. Piano goes off on an ever-so-mildly abstract solo
9. Violin and accordion shuffle fitfully and noisily
10. Tango feel to the accordion swoops
11. Suspense movie theme with zither scales and strokes
12. Graceful accordion melody over gently picked guitar chords
13. Abstractions on piano and clarinet
14. Does it evoke sunny beaches on Martinique? Yeah, perhaps Parisian cafes on Martinique
15. A slow, stately march with soft drums, sweet violins, and … what’s that buzzing in the back?