Iraq born trumpeter Amir ElSaffar leads a forward looking band with Ole Mathisen /ts, John Escreet/p, Francois Moutin/b and Dan Weiss/dr through an arresting collection of originals. The sound and feel is post bop, but with a bit of Middle Eastern harmonies and directions thrown in occasionally for extra spice. Themes like the 10 minute long “Embubum-Eshtarum-Pitum” have some exotic front line harmonies with sax and trumpet, but keep a mainstream feel. Some gently flowing piano by Escreet along with tenorist Mathison on “Nid Qablitum” is as exquisite as a spice tray, while Moutin’s bass sneaks up on the boppish “Quartal.” ElSaffar himself has a gorgeously velvet tone as he displays on “Ishatarum” while the band shows alacrity as they pop in and out of “12 Cycles” and drive like a camel caravan on “Athar Kurd.” Impressive music that keeps the tradition going, yet still moving forward.
Pi Recordings