Album review: Gilad Atzmon & The Orient House Ensemble, The Whistle Blower

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/leisure/music/11805810.Jazz_notes/

WHETHER you question his politics or not, it would be difficult to question Gilad Atzmon’s musical abilities. Having released a string of albums under his own name, he has forged a reputation as one of the hardest-working jazz musicians in the country. The Whistle Blower fuses classic jazz improvising with middle-eastern influences to create a unique and gripping set of compositions.

The album opener Gaza Mon Amour eatures a driving groove beneath a catchy eastern melody. This is followed by a pair of contrasting ballads which showcase Atzmon’s lyrical soprano playing as well as an excellent bass solo from Yaron Stavi. The Coltrane influence is present on Let Us Pray which develops in a style similar to the master work, A Love Supreme. The track builds through 11 minutes of intense modal improvisation.

There is more world music influence on The Song with Atzmon demonstrating his accordion-playing skills, which inject another layer of variety to the record. An interesting and intelligently constructed album.