Since I've only just talked about excellent Jazz with Oriental influences in my review of the vinyl reissue of Yazz Ahmed's debut "Finding My Way Home" a couple of days ago, why don't we travel even further East, while also somehow staying with one foot in England, where the band we'll spin today resides and records?
JAUBI - A Sound Heart (2LP) (2024)
Even though I continue to miss the right constellation of time and price to score their 2022 debut "Nafs at Peace", I have been aware of the amazingly talented Pakistani Jazz Folk Fusion band Jaubi for a while now, so it didn't came as a surprise that their new double album is a masterstroke of cross-cultural inspiration.
Lead by guitarist Ali Riaz Bagar the ensemble features many typical Rock/Fusion instruments like electric bass, Fender Rhodes, synths and of course the traditional Jazz essentials trumpet, saxophone, piano. But some sounds which immediately stand out as less common, no matter if they are rather textural elements in the background or featured front and center, are the Hindustani percussion aiding the drums, especially the impressive tabla performances and the sarangi (a bowed string instrument with a sound somewhere between spike fiddle, violin and harmonium). The flute appearances don't feel as unusual in a Jazz context, yet still provide another strong Folk influence.
Jaubi's way of bringing East and West, but also faith and worldiness together is very smooth and welcoming to either sides. I am an unwavering atheist, but if there's one thing I can joyfully suffer religion to do, then it's inspiring amazing pieces of art. Coltrane's "A Love Supreme" and Sanders' "Karma" aren't among the most revered Jazz albums of all time without a reason.
The album title "A Sound Heart" is inspired by a Qu'ran verse, the cover shows a very personal photo of the band leader's father, and conceptionally the work, which is structured in LP one "Desire" and LP two "Devotion" is all about love without dictating, which kind of love the listener is meant to read into it. Even the dedication "This album is dedicated to God...whoever and whatever that means to you." is far from being fundamental or restrictive.
It shows that while the author feels strongly about his message, ultimately Jaubi's mission is bringing people together in their love for music.
The triangle of Spiritual Jazz, Fusion and Middle Eastern Folk (and classical) contributions in this class and scale and flawless production is of course a magnet for a diverse crowd and provokes comparisons to Kamasi Washington's in several ways similar "Fearless Movement".
Jaubi however have shifted their balance a little further away from the funky and overtly electric. The title track being inspired by Bill Evans and the two obvious Jazz legend tributes "Lahori Blues (Blues for Shorter)" and "Mingusderstood (Blues for Mingus)", both respectively opening one half of the album, are clear indicators that Jaubi are seeking timelessness in sticking to more traditional formulas - yet infusing those in their special way with all those longing magical ethnical sounds.
And don't get me wrong, there still is a lot of Fusion all over the album, starting with the album opener. But further down the tracklist it doesn't always remain as pronounced. With exceptions, since a track like "Throwdown" with its bubbling bass clearly sticks out, as it could actually be a Thundercat feature on a Washington piece.
Well, we can go back and forth, trying to sliderule genre percentages throughout this whole hour-long album - but that's not the point and wouldn't do this inspriring, intriguing, reflective, relaxing, exciting, stunningly beautiful work any justice. This is a group with the potential to build many bridges and bring new listeners into the wide world of Jazz - or take jazz cats to new bowls. Meow.
Album of the year season is upon us and you'll soon find the name Jaubi high up on many lists. It's inevitable.
Lead by guitarist Ali Riaz Bagar the ensemble features many typical Rock/Fusion instruments like electric bass, Fender Rhodes, synths and of course the traditional Jazz essentials trumpet, saxophone, piano. But some sounds which immediately stand out as less common, no matter if they are rather textural elements in the background or featured front and center, are the Hindustani percussion aiding the drums, especially the impressive tabla performances and the sarangi (a bowed string instrument with a sound somewhere between spike fiddle, violin and harmonium). The flute appearances don't feel as unusual in a Jazz context, yet still provide another strong Folk influence.
Jaubi's way of bringing East and West, but also faith and worldiness together is very smooth and welcoming to either sides. I am an unwavering atheist, but if there's one thing I can joyfully suffer religion to do, then it's inspiring amazing pieces of art. Coltrane's "A Love Supreme" and Sanders' "Karma" aren't among the most revered Jazz albums of all time without a reason.
The album title "A Sound Heart" is inspired by a Qu'ran verse, the cover shows a very personal photo of the band leader's father, and conceptionally the work, which is structured in LP one "Desire" and LP two "Devotion" is all about love without dictating, which kind of love the listener is meant to read into it. Even the dedication "This album is dedicated to God...whoever and whatever that means to you." is far from being fundamental or restrictive.
It shows that while the author feels strongly about his message, ultimately Jaubi's mission is bringing people together in their love for music.
The triangle of Spiritual Jazz, Fusion and Middle Eastern Folk (and classical) contributions in this class and scale and flawless production is of course a magnet for a diverse crowd and provokes comparisons to Kamasi Washington's in several ways similar "Fearless Movement".
Jaubi however have shifted their balance a little further away from the funky and overtly electric. The title track being inspired by Bill Evans and the two obvious Jazz legend tributes "Lahori Blues (Blues for Shorter)" and "Mingusderstood (Blues for Mingus)", both respectively opening one half of the album, are clear indicators that Jaubi are seeking timelessness in sticking to more traditional formulas - yet infusing those in their special way with all those longing magical ethnical sounds.
And don't get me wrong, there still is a lot of Fusion all over the album, starting with the album opener. But further down the tracklist it doesn't always remain as pronounced. With exceptions, since a track like "Throwdown" with its bubbling bass clearly sticks out, as it could actually be a Thundercat feature on a Washington piece.
Well, we can go back and forth, trying to sliderule genre percentages throughout this whole hour-long album - but that's not the point and wouldn't do this inspriring, intriguing, reflective, relaxing, exciting, stunningly beautiful work any justice. This is a group with the potential to build many bridges and bring new listeners into the wide world of Jazz - or take jazz cats to new bowls. Meow.
Album of the year season is upon us and you'll soon find the name Jaubi high up on many lists. It's inevitable.
Keine Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen