Jazz Articles about Pachora

About Pachora

Album Review

Astereotypical is Pachora's fourth album in six years, but all four of these musicians have played together over the last decade in endless variations, most notably with Dave Douglas and Tim Berne--but also in their own exciting groups, as on Chris Speed's Yeah No and Jim Black's Alasnoaxis. Their work with Pachora generally showcases a tasteful, flowing jazz sound, with strong Balkan, Middle-Eastern, and even African inspirations, and they don't really break from that formula here. It's a warm record, ...

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Album Review

Pachora: Ast

by Glenn Astarita
June 1, 2000

With their 3rd release titled Ast, “Pachora” continues to extend their reach to the global-beat, modern jazz community. A sprightly diversion from their ongoing and thoroughly cutting edge projects within the time honored New York City – Downtown – scene, multi-reedman Chris Speed, bassist Skuli Sverrisson, drummer Jim Black and guitarist Brad Shepik here, utilizing the electric saz and tamboura perform with charisma and jollity! Without a doubt, these musicians do indeed convey a harmonious musical relationship, which is also ...

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Album Review

Pachora: Unn

by Glenn Astarita
May 1, 1999

A young star, who has certainly risen, saxophonist Chris Speed is a tour-de-force who displays poise, enthusiasm, versatility and possesses gifted technical expertise. On “Unn," Speed is a whirling dervish with clarinet in hand as he directs the overall melodic structures and plays traffic cop; although, the amazing bassist Skuli Sverrisson defies all odds and contributes mightily as he frequently matches Speed's motifs and phrasing with impossible note for note unison runs. Guitarist Brad Shepik, leader of his ...