Beyond Babylon by Paul Brody's Sadawi

02 May

Written by Glenn Astarita
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Trumpeter Paul Brody extends this New York based record label’s legacy of melding traditional klezmer music with a jazz and improvisational slant. The quintet and guest accordionist Alan Bern restyle cultural aspects via Brody’s reconfigurations of respective works by clarinetists David Krakauer, Ben Goldberg, and others. However, Brody often generates a foot stomping gait as the band also melds avant-garde characteristics evidenced by the ubiquitous, New York downtown scene musical experience. On this outing, you’ll hear wily clarinet parts commingling with abstract banjo soloing and fuzz-toned electric guitar lines. Other than a few meltdowns and vivacious escapades, Brody’s muse incorporates traditional klezmer melodies, spurring notions of what might translate into Jewish Dixieland!

They’re an inventive bunch for sure, witnessed by Brandon Seabrook’s intermittent injections of hard rock guitar licks coupled with Brody’s soaring trumpet lines and other niceties. The band also melds offbeat funk grooves into the klezmer-jazz idiom amid cartoon-like attributes. On Brody’s rearrangement of Tzadik artist Frank London’s piece "Golem Khosidl," the musicians pursue a dirge-like approach, sparked by some EFX and gradually climactic choruses. Either way, Brody covers a lot of ground throughout this wildly compelling jaunt. (Recommended listening.... )

Additional Info

Artist / Group Name: Paul Brody's Sadawi
CD Title: Beyond Babylon
Genre: Free Jazz / Avante Garde
Year Released: 2004
Record Label: Tzadik
Musicians: Paul Brody (trumpet), Jan Hermerschmidt (clarinet & bass clarinet), Brandon Seabrook (banjo, guitars & electronics), Martin Lillich (bass), Eric Rosenthal (drums) - Alan Bern (melodica on #8, accordion on # 4 & 5)
Label Website: http://www.tzadik.com
Rating: Four Stars