Greek-born Cypriot drummer George Lernis knows of what he plays on this intriguing album of panoramic and universal messages. He also plays the bouzouki-sounding santur, which sets the tone along with Mehmet Ali Sanlikol/p-voc-oud, Emiel De Jaegher/tp, Burcu Gulec/voc, Bruno Raberg/b ;and guest bassist John Pattituci for an album that takes you on the spiritual journey of immigrants trying to find a home in America after being persecuted or chased out of their own country.
There is a mixture of jazz, poetry and Byzantine liturgical olk sounds melded together into an Orthodox mosaic of sounds The opening “Prayer”, sung in Greek as a chant, is a Middle Eastern tale reflecting the Syrian refugee crisis, while De Jaegher and Sanlilkol reflect and meditate on ”Sailing Beyond.” The five movement “Between Two Worlds Suite” includes the exotic santur creating Aegean moods of mystery, with “Zikir” taking you to an Island Greek village in the Cyclades. Harrowing harmonies and agonizing melodies dominate “Arrival” and the closing “ Kalinihta (Goodnight)” with the album feeling like an Odyssey, but without a return to home. A journey worth listening to.
As one who has done work with Syrian/Iraqi refugees, I can attest that this album musically and viscerally captures the passion and pathos of people looking for a new place of rest.