Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Bright Colors On A Dark Canvas , by Naseem Alatrash and it's rich and earthy. Opening with Prelude , Naseem Alatrash, a Grammy nominated cellist plays a deer, rich cello solo with what sounds like a cavernous space. His strokes are crisp and intentional. Very nice. On Ramad , Alatrash is joined by Chase Morrin on piano and George Lernis on on percussion creating an energetic composition with a somewhat eastern/classical feel. Morrin's piano work is vibrant and Alatrash's cello work is tense and rhythmic. Exciting. Echoing In The Hollow is patient with Morrin on piano creating glistening statements, answered by Alatrash on cello. Lernis interjects a tight rhythm on percussion and is joined by Bengisu Gokce, Lilit Hartunian, Greta Myatieva, Heeyeon Chung, Aija Reke,Eric Mrugala, Liubomyr Senyshyn, Helen Sherrah-Davies, Miyu Imai on violins and David Wallace, Anna Stromer and Raymond Dineen on viola. Rich. Wra...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Silwan , by Wanees Zarour and it's intriguing. Opening with title track, Silwan , Wanees Zarour on buzug crafts the melody with support of Andrew Lawrance on piano. Adding light drums and percussion are Nick Kabat and Tareq Rantisi. The track snaps into a contemporary western form with the addition of Byron Pardo on clarinet and Vinny Kabat on bass. The track gets a euro eastern twist on the solo by Pardo handing back to Zarour on buzuq and a lively modern eastern flavored melody. Strong opener. Autumn has a lush melody with a slight Spanish flavor. Zarour on oud crafts the melody with excellent harmonies by Pardo on sax and Catie Hickey on trombone. My favorite track on the release. Fig Tree has a warm, almost waltz like cadence with a warming trombone solo by Kickey and a really nice guitar solo by Samuel Mosching , contrasted with eastern notes by Pardo on clarinet and featuring a solid oud solo by Zarour. Ver...