The second album from
Amir ElSaffar
's large
Rivers of Sound Orchestra
, 2021's hypnotically adventurous
The Other Shore
further brings the trumpeter/composer's vibrantly cross-pollinated blend of jazz, Arabic, and Indian music into sharp focus. A Chicago native of Iraqi descent,
ElSaffar
leads several groups that balance exploratory post-bop improvisation with the Iraqi vocal maqams, iqa'at rhythms, drones, and harmonic devices borrowed from Arabic musical traditions. While some of
's projects are more traditional in tone,
Rivers of Sound
is more sonically expansive with a sound that touches as much upon avant-garde jazz and free-leaning group improvisation as it does Arabic folk music. This is in part due to
's kaleidoscopic use of Western instruments like the saxophone and guitar, along with numerous Middle Eastern and Indian instruments, including the lute-like buzuq, the stringed joza, and the mridangam, the latter of which is played here by acclaimed percussionist
Rajna Swaminathan
. Along with playing trumpet and singing
himself also plays the Iraqi santur, a type of hammered dulcimer that he employs to virtuosic effect on the wave-like "Concentric." Also making vital contributions here are equally boundary-pushing improvisers, including his sister violinist
Dena ElSaffar
, her husband percussionist
Tim Moore
, vibraphonist
Jason Adasiewicz
, pianist
John Escreet
, saxophonist
Ole Mathisen
, guitarist
Miles Okazaki
, drummer
Nasheet Waits
, and others. The result is an album that evokes the iconic, globally minded modal and avant-garde jazz of players like
Don Cherry
,
the Art Ensemble of Chicago
, and
John Coltrane
. Ultimately, it's the way
and
so perfectly balance their influences, weaving together old-world textures and progressive modern jazz harmonies, that makes
so compelling. ~ Matt Collar