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Zebrina: Hamidbar Medaher
By Track review of "Breath Of Life"The artists' transparent genre-hopping manifesto radiates on "Breath of Life," where they fuse multiple stylizations into a branded group sound. Here, Jonathan Feldman tricks the listener into thinking that a laid-back blues vamp will establish a pace for the subsequent proceedings with his soul-stirring Fender Rhodes work. Yet they spin this yarn into a delightful, upbeat Latin-Middle Eastern groove via the frontline's contrasting motifs and peppery soloing escapades. And during the bridge, they take you to a Jewish wedding while executing several variations of the primary theme, but tone it all down and slowly engage in a rebuilding process. Guitarist Joel Schwartz even tosses in some surf guitar licks, crystallized by Goldberg's spiraling notes and the pumping rhythms. Thus, Zebrina is a band that perpetuates unrelenting optimism and a celebratory posture. With Feldman's spunky compositions, the musicians' interlock that sometimes elusive characteristic of merging impressive technical acumen with honest-to-goodness entertainment.
Track Listing
Personnel
Ben Goldberg: b-flat clarinet, e-flat contra-alto clarinet; Jonathan Feldman: Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Hammond B3 Organ; Bret Higgins: electric bass; Juan Carlos Medrano: percussion; Joel Schwartz: electric guitar, resonator guitar; Max Senitt: drums.
Album information
Title: Hamidbar Medaher | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Tzadik
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