Record Reviews

MICHEL SAJRAWY ~ ARABOP NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 885767469778) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion Recorded: 2011 Released: 2012 This is the 3rd album by Israeli guitarist / composer Michel SajrawyFind albums by this artist, one of the most prominent and original representatives of the Jazz-Rock-World Fusion worldwide. During the four years that separate this album from its predecessor, Sajrawy further developed his unique style, both as a composer and a performer, amalgamating Jazz and Middle Eastern music in ways previously unimaginable. This album is noticeably more ethnically oriented than the previous two Fusion oriented albums, and his music is more complex by far. His stunning guitar sound merges the resonance of electric Fusion guitar and the characteristic scales of Middle Eastern instruments, like the oud, creating a completely new "instrument", which sounds like nothing else. The ensemble accompanying Sajrawy on this album is also different from the classic Jazz quartet setting he used previously and includes more original ethnic instruments. It consists of saxophonists Amiram GranotFind albums by this artist and Maali KlarFind albums by this artist, oud player and vocalist Samir MakhoulFind albums by this artist, bassist Valeri LipetsFind albums by this artist, drummer Stas ZilbermanFind albums by this artist and darbuka player Wisam ArramFind albums by this artist. Sajrawy plays electric bass on some of the tracks. The album includes nine tracks, six of which were composed by Sajrawy and the other three are folk tunes arranged by him. Although Sajrawy´s amazing guitar performances are the focus of this recording, it is very much a group effort and the interplay between the musicians is truly excellent. The overall atmosphere of this album is quite relaxed, with the music mostly flowing gently and gracefully, as if accompanying a caravan slowly crossing the desert, with the distant sounds coming over the sand dunes from a distant city. Sajrawy´s melodies are beautiful and provide a perfect vehicle for the musician´s improvisations. The cool, calm and collected mood is of course often misleading, as it increases the listener´s anticipation of the next musical development, keeping him on his toes for the entire duration of the album. And it is full of pleasant surprises indeed; with each new tune the listener discovers another vista of the Middle Eastern musical treasures. So, for the third time in a row, Sajrawy hits the jackpot with his amazing music, unparalleled virtuosity and most importantly unshaken integrity, doing his thing and believing in his vision, for which he deserves to be respected and admired. This is an album, which will grow on the listener every time it´s listened to. Just close your eyes, open you heart and let the music fill you up. This music transcends the cultural, religious and political differences of our multifaceted region, concentrating on the beautiful and eternal love of true Art, which makes us all one. Chapeau Michel, my friend!

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MICHEL SAJRAWY ~ FLOATING CITY HEVHETIA 0117 (Barcode: 8588005257718) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016 Although in the public eye the Holy City of Jerusalem symbolizes the Middle East as a cradle of the three religions, for me it is the Galilean City of Nazareth, which is the epitome of the Middle Eastern existence. Christians, Muslims and Jews live, work and study side by side in a fragile embrace of coexistence, day by day. Jerusalem has been and still is, tragically, a symbol of feud and conflict for way too long, while Nazareth serves as an example of what the Middle East could look like, God willing. Michel SajrawyFind albums by this artist and I share the aura of Nazareth since many years. He was born and raised there and lives in the City, whereas I have been teaching there generation after generation of students in classes, where celebrating Easter, Ramadan and Passover is as natural as breathing air. We both love the hills on which the City is built, the beautiful churches and the sound of the church bells, the colorful markets and busy streets, the minarets and the modern buildings of the ever growing new neighborhoods. Therefore it is completely natural that Michel, as an Artist, would incorporate the multicultural background of his home City and create a unique amalgam of Middle Eastern influences, which he can now proudly call his very own. This is the fourth album Michel recorded, which features his music, and in retrospect it follows a clearly defined artistic path, which climaxes here. The Jazz-Rock-World Music blend presented herein is a true masterpiece in every respect. This album is definitely Michel´s most mature statement, but also reveals the search of his musical roots. The relation to the ancient tradition of Arabic maqam, combined with the modern electric guitar sound is absolutely stunning. This emphasized by Michel´s incredible talent to compose beautiful heart capturing melodies, seemingly simple but in fact quite complex and sophisticated, turns him into an icon of the collaboration between East and West musical ethnicities. Michel´s return to his roots is also symbolized by the use of Middle Eastern instruments: oud, qanun, and darbuka, which were significantly less prominent on his early albums. Also Michel plays the bass parts on this album by himself, rather that using a Jazz / Fusion bass player, like he did on previous albums. The combined effect of these changes results in a more than ever substantial presence of World Music elements, which reveals the true Michel Sajrawy. This is a document of a journey there and back; an authentic re-discovery of Fusion between seemingly distant traditions, which proves that an Artist has only to return to his roots, to become whole again. Side Note The above are my liner notes included on this album's artwork. I am honored when asked by the Artists to write liner notes for their albums, always hoping that my words reflect the true spirit of the music. This is also a symbol of our mutual respect and friendship developed over the years. The same is also true when Record Labels ask me to write liner notes for their releases, mostly in the case of reissues of archival albums, which is a symbol of their appreciation of my knowledge and historical perspective and my recognition of their dedication to the preservation of the history of recorded music and the effort to keep human Culture and Aesthetics alive.

Updated: 19/09/2018Posted: 30/12/2016

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MICHEL SAJRAWY ~ WRITINGS ON THE WALL OZELLA 016 (Barcode: 4038952000164) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2007 Released: 2009 This is the 2nd album by superb Israeli guitarist Michel SajrawyFind albums by this artist, and a commendable follow up to his sensational debut recording, which exposed him to worldwide audiences. Sajrawy is one of very few Israeli Arabs, who play Jazz and the first to truly incorporate the traditional elements of Arabic music and the Jazz idiom. This album is much closer to modern Jazz and less Fusion influenced than his debut album, recorded in a classic quartet setting with a piano trio: Franck DhersinFind albums by this artist on piano, Valeri LipetsFind albums by this artist on bass and Ameen AtrashFind albums by this artist / Evgeni MaistrovskiFind albums by this artist on drums. Sajrawy composed all the music, which again is closely related to Jazz, with the Oriental elements being much more subtle and distinguishable mostly in his guitar phrasing. His tone and fluency are truly amazing, displaying all the elements that distinguish the best guitar players from the countless others, who play the instrument. The rhythm section is also excellent all the way, providing a solid foundation for the expanded improvisations by the leader. The pianist has an excellent touch and sensitivity to provide just the right amount of harmonic background to make the music flow effortlessly and his solos, although brief, are right on the money. Sajrawy truly deserves to break the barrier of relative anonymity and play on the biggest stages worldwide, as there are very few players who deserve it as much as he does. If you don´t believe me, just listen to this music and eat your hat ;) In this case the saying: "hearing is believing" seems suitable more that ever! This is an essential album for every guitar lover on this planet, not that I have any illusions as to this happening in reality, but I just have to do my part here. Buy or die!

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MICHEL SAJRAWY ~ YATHRIB OZELLA 010 (Barcode: 4038952000102) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2006 Released: 2006 1st album by Israeli guitarist Michel SajrawyFind albums by this artist and what a fantastic album it is! Sajrawy is an Arab Christian, born in Nazareth. In 1995 he moved to London and devoted himself entirely to music. He is deeply rooted in the Middle Eastern music but expanded his musical horizons to include jazz and contemporary classical music. He is regarded as an extremely gifted guitarist, composer and arranger. This is his debut album, for which he composed all the music. It is breathtakingly beautiful, a fusion of Middle East and West, with delicate and masterly guitar work by the leader and excellent support by his band and guest musicians. Imagine John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist`s ShaktiFind albums by this artist, but swap Indian music for Middle Eastern music. The people on the album include Muslims, Christians and Jews - a true amalgam of influences, religions and a beautiful proof of music transcendenting cultural and even political differences. Superb!

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend