COMPOSERS: Shoham
LABELS: Just East of Jazz
PERFORMER: Jeremy Shoham (as, ss, E flat cl), Neil Angilley (p, kbds, accordion), Phil Scragg (b), Rick Finlay (d, perc)
CATALOGUE NO: CD 3
The band Just East of Jazz was formed in 1993 by Jeremy Shoham, who wanted to explore his Jewish musical roots by fusing jazz and klezmer. The combination of jazz and swirling Eastern melodies and rhythms has given the band its own unique sound and emotional range.
Feast is the group’s immensely assured third album, consisting of ten very varied compositions. Shoham’s ‘Eastbound’ begins with a flourish on the strings of the piano and includes intense oriental melodies, strong soprano and electric piano solos followed by a bravura finale. By contrast, Shoham’s ‘Requiem à Tanier’ is played by piano and rhythm section only with sober eloquence.
Other high spots are Angilley’s ‘Fatour’, with its folky and funky asymmetry, and Scragg’s ‘Mud Pie’, with its bass riff and accordion. This is a veritable feast of music.