The Afro-Semitic Experience
Plea For Peace
Reckless Music

If the name of THIS group doesn't get your attention, nothing will! Bassist and leader David Chevan has put together a collection of musicians of different races and creeds to create a musical plea to man and God for peace. Using songs and rhythms from Jewish Klezmer and Christian Spirituals, The ASE creates an intriguing and attractive mix of music and moods that will grab the heart of any pilgrim looking for the truth. The brilliance in the music (as well as the concept itself) lays in combining the various grooves from each culture. For example, the traditional spiritual "I'm On My Way to Canaan Land" is given an extra kick with the underlaying Middle Eastern beat mixing with the Mahlia Jackson snap. Likewise, the Jewish traditional "Reb Dovidl's Nigun" is given a bit of latin seasoning that brings just the right amount of extra zest to the recipe. Will Bartlett is able to switch from wailing tenor sax to snake charming clarinet squeals at the drop of a beat. This band makes the best musical evidence for God's statement "Oh how good it is, when all men live as brothers." They are definitely woth catching live, as they will be in the So call scene in March. Look for them at www.chevan.addr.com/bp.html.


-George W. Harris