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Global Folk and Fusions
By
Un Autre Monde
Les Couleurs du Son
2021
Ten years is an impressive tenure for any musical outfit, so

Naïssam Jalal
fluteJalal's compositions here traverse her own personal history, which stretches from France to Syria, Egypt and across the Middle East. She has no problem incorporating both patient mantric trance, jazzy improvisation, Indian percussion, orchestral strings, elaborate arrangements and wild solos. Every combination is expertly blended into something exotic and dynamic. The double set of Un Autre Monde is constructed the same way: a disc of impressionistic pieces by her main quintet and then some of the same material expanded into a suite for orchestra on the second.
The "other world" imagined in the title is a future version of ours, particularly the state of things after capitalism, which makes the experience turbulent yet ultimately hopeful. Jalal's expressive flute embodies the spirit of each composition to a T: flitting and fluttering over the gamelan patterns of "Un Monde Neuf" to express the open spirit of new possibilities, slowing down to speak from the heart for "Un Sourire au Coeur" with its theme of love, and most startlingly, screaming of a world in pain at the close of disc two. If the work covers some vastly different tones and themes, Jalal's multicultural fusion is positive and inclusive enough to show that unity can always overcome any divisions.

Places
Self Produced
2021
At a glance,

Zhivko Vasilev
fluteb.1991
Places zips among happy dancing and fast-and-furious roiling. The rhythms play irregular hopscotch rather than settle into obvious repetition, but the session's drummers make it flow effortlessly as the shifting ensemble glides along. The core group is a thrillingly tight unit that never stops sparking off each other. Dimitar Gorchakov's piano makes a particularly fiery foil for Vasilev's capering. The roster of guests adds a wealth of textures, from classy string quartet to Balkan percussion, without anyone feeling crowded.
The travel theme is immersive from the first minute, as droning contrabass sets an airy tone, piano and percussion begin lightly chugging to suggest an arriving train, and the leader steps in to start things rolling. Wherever Vasilev's pieces go on the genre map, propulsive energy churns throughout this session (undoubtedly crackling a little extra due to being recorded live). Barring a couple of breathers, most tracks end up hitting some kind of explosive peak. "Leprechaun's Dream" has clouds of violin broken up by a flute showcase that goes off the wall. "EBuenek" almost feels like it could wrap things up with the brightest of sambas, but the actual closing track takes an extended jump into the greasiest electric funk. It's a wild ride that somehow packs an entire whirlwind global tour into just one thrilling hour.

Nomadim
Unit Records
2021

Marc Crofts
violinb.1989
Railo Helmstetter
guitarBlaise Hommage
bassSuch eclecticism is just the right approach for what they call "nomad jazz." Friend " data-original-title="" title="">Marcel Loeffler drops in on accordion to craft a particularly enchanting waltz, while "The Fox's Strut" channels

Bela Fleck
banjob.1958
Tracks and Personnel
Un Autre MondeTracks: CD1: Buleria Sarkhat Al Ard; Hymne ? La Noix; Un Sourire Au C?ur; Un Monde Neuf; Samaa? Al Andalus; Promenade Au Bord Du Rêve; D'ailleurs Nous Sommes D'ici. CD2: Paysages De Notre Destin; Un Sourire Au C?ur; Un Monde Neuf; Samaa? Al Andalus; Almot Wala Almazala.
Personnel: Na?saam Jalal: flute, voice; Mehdi Cha?b: saxophone; Karsten Hochapfel: cello; Damien Varaillon: acoustic bass; Arnaud Dolmen: drums.
Places
Tracks: The Emigrant; It's Raining in 7; Roterdam Rooftop; Transcending; Triple Tension; Leprechaun's Dream; Rachenitsa; Eight Sheep; Sunrise with Zori; EBuenek; Trite Pati.
Personnel: Zhivko Vasilev: kaval; Dimitar Gorchakov: piano; Mihail Ivanov: contrabass, electric bass; Borislav Petrov: drums; Martin Hafizi: drums; Alexander "Sani" Kunchev: percussion; Lukas Pamminger: electric bass; Soil Ivanov: drums; Borislav Iliev: guitar; Miroslav Ivanov: guitar; Stoimen Peev: violin; Orlin Tsvetanov: violin; Viktor Mitsev: viola; Viktor Traykov: violincello; Vasil Hadzhigrudev: contrabass.
Nomadim
Tracks: Zaza; Novembre; Carousel; Our Secret Room; La Goulue; Portokali; Eastern Road Trip; William's Southern Lullaby; The Fox's Strut; Baby Bossa.
Personnel: Marc Crofts: violin; Railo Helmstetter: guitar; Blaise Hommage: bass; Marcel Loeffler: accordion on "La Goulue."
Tags
Multiple Reviews
Geno Thackara
Les Couleurs du Son
Na?ssam Jalal
Self Produced
Zhivko Vasilev
Unit Records
Marc Crofts
Railo Helmstetter
Blaise Hommage
Marcel Loeffler
Bela Fleck
Nomadim
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