Two Rivers

AMIR EL SAFFAR: Two Rivers
Pi, 2007

WORLD JAZZ – Iraqi-American trumpeter combines jazz with the classical maqam style of Iraq. The instrumentation is a hybrid too, with Rudresh Mahanthappa on sax and a jazz rhythm section bolstered by middle eastern strings and percussion, plus moaning vocals. Musically, the disc is moody, exotic and powerful, with unusual non-western tunings, tricky rhythms and occasional bursts of emotional energy.

All tracks great. Fo’s Picks: 1, 2, 4, 6, 10

1. 11:59 – slow: ensemble flows in waves, then relaxed solos over 10/8 pulse
2. 8:46 – complex horn rhythm, then fast, undulating sax solo; drifting trumpet
3. 6:50 – slow and slinky with big bass; oud & buzuq solos, slight funky touch
4. 7:33 – cool tension: exotic-sounding trumpet & sax voicings, good solos
5. 2:11 – bowed bass drone & calm trumpet melody
6. 7:49 – tricky 17/8 rhythm & microtones; horns trade phrases, drum break
7. 3:26 – violin wanders over atmospheric drum/bass; sung poem
8. 5:26 – slow march: searching sax over santoor (dulcimer), moody bass
9. 11:54 – starts slow, quiet; then surges w/ clashing rhythms, somber ending
10. 5:29 – weird microtone bass & buzuq, rolling avant-jazz horn dialogue

[ Fo ] 15-Nov-07