Clarinetist and composer Kinan Azmeh bridges the gap of Middle East and jazz with this richly swinging collection of concert material during his band’s stay in Berlin. Azmeh’s clarinet unites the team of Kyle Sanna/g, Josh Myers/b and John Hadfield/dr to walk the tightrope of the mystical world of the Middle East and modern tones, rhythms and passions. The melding is a richly textured album that is as flavorful as Turkish coffee freshly brewed in hot sand.
Azmeh’s clarinet, so rich and warm in the lower register, Is meditative around Myers’s brooding bass as on “The Queen” , haunting like a Bedouin night during the ethereal “Daraa” and dedicated for “Galileo Galilee” before climaxing in an agonizing cry to the heavens above. Myers and Hadfield rumble like a caravan on the earthy “Dance” while Sanna’s soft strums supply supple pulses for the slow whirling dervish of the yearning “Jisreen”. Azmeh’s clarinet calls out at times like a plea to God, other times calming the agitated sheep in his fold with tender melodies, glowing like a long evening prayer.
The music on the album is dedicated to the people of Syria, who, whether staying and riding out the traumas of their country, or travelling as refugees to other accepting lands, are personified by the rich moods, dreams and passions of the songs.