Amir
ElSaffar is an Iraqi multi-instrumentalist and singer who, along
with his Sextet, fuse the worlds of Contemporary Jazz and Traditional
Iraqi Maqam to create an enchanting and captivating soundscape
which digs deep, both in terms of tradition as well as instrumental
nuance and skill. Amir ElSaffar (trumpet, santoor) is of mixed
Iraqi and American heritage and utilises his influences to the
fullest to create a really special piece of music with the help
of his talented Sextet which includes Rudresh Mahanthappa (alto
saxophone), Tareq Abboushi (buzuq), Zaafer Tawil (oud and violin),
Carlo DeRosa (bass) and Nasheet Waits (drums).
‘Two Rivers’, a mostly instrumental
piece signifying the Euphrates and Tigris, consists of 10 tracks
which move across an enchanting and exotic terrain of throbbing
ethno-jazz. The 11 minute opener initiates with deep and mournful
vocals over somber santoor, spike fiddle and table. Underlying
this rich tapestry is skittering percussion which gives a loose
and ebbing jazz feel. The elements sit and flow together with
consummate ease whilst shifting across a despondent and reflective
terrain. The groove-laden ‘Shatt Al-Arab’ showcases
an interesting interplay between traditional Iraqi Maqam and American
Jazz which is executed in a ‘subtle yet deadly’ manner
with the occasional rupture. ‘Khosh Reng’ recalls
the contemporary Chicago majesty of HiM circa their Lila EP with
its animated yet traditionally-rooted bounce and its rolling waves
of percussion. Vocals appear again on the haunting and oppressive
‘Diaspora’ and ElSaffar’s vocals add real value
to the mix. The way he holds and accentuates tones is impressive
and give a sense of energy (and authenticity) to the album.
When one hears the terms ‘ethno-jazz’
or ‘world-jazz’ it tends to bring to mind distilled
and languid jazz-lite which is given away with new-age magazines.
Instead, ElSaffar and his merry men bring a real sense of authenticity
which can be compared to Sun Ra’s intoxicating and dizzying
release with Salah Rageb (The Sun Ra Arkestra meets Salah Raged
in Egypt, Golden Years 2004). The music successfully transports
you to and fro between a dusty and humid image of a bustling Iraq
market-towns and electric downtown New York swing haunts. As ‘Two
Rivers’ progresses the fusion of the two styles becomes
more and more intertwined until the latter stages when the Iraqi
Maqam influence shines through. The final track, ‘Blues
In E Half-Flat’ is a unflawed synthesis of Iraqi microtones
and melodious yet frenzied Western-Jazz.
For
fans of: Sun Ra’s more exotic work, Ethiopiques Series,
Ostad Elahi, HiM
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