NYC-based world fusion supergroup, ANISTAR, has produced a breathtaking musical effort on their 2005 release, Esh, which is an exotically colorful collection of mesmerizing world music instrumental compositions that feature project composer and producer, Harel Shachal's masterful, Middle-Eastern flavored alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, and clarinet soloing set against lushly textured arrangements sculped with a craftful selection of atypical instruments. Shachal's uncommon melodies, mysterious harmonies, and bewitching themes venture boldly into unfamiliar territories, directed by his keen sense of imaginative, wildly fluid lyricism and thorough mastery of unconventional Middle-Eastern modes, animated, vocipherous phrasings, and extensive lexicons that together forge a strikingly rich listener experience. Esh incorporates a diverse, vibrant palette of oddly metered, hypnotic rhythms voiced by unusual percussive instruments, that are distantly strange and yet somehow, uncannily familiar.
Harel Shachal & ANISTAR's sonic imagery conjures visions of winding gypsy caravans traversing far away, star and moon lit desert trails traveling through strange, foreign landscapes and rejoicing at refreshing oasis and ancient stone cities. Upon reaching vital sanctuaries and destinations, his otherworldy music drives the elated celebrations of effusive dancing set against entrancing fire light that is surrounded by the old world instruments singing out their extraordinary, enchanted songs of ages past.
The ANISTAR ensemble employs traditional instruments once dominant in the ages of traveling (gypsy) musicians prior to the onset of the electronic era, such as accordian, violin, clarinet and various percussive instruments. These traditional gypsy instruments are complemented by a number of distinctive Middle-Eastern and North African instruments, such as oud (lute like string instrument), kamance (gourd violin), riqq (tambourine), djambe, and dumbek (both percussive instruments). These instruments are guided by the expert musicianship of the ANISTAR ensemble members that have all endeavoured to develop world class skills over the unusual instruments incorporated within the ANISTAR ensemble. Tomer Tzur, E.J. Fry, and John Hadfield share the credit for providing the crucial rhythms with their various unusual percussive instrumentation that together serve as the continuous driving force and relentless undercurrent of the album. Christopher Hoffman and Alon Carmelly augment the rhythm section on cello and bass, respectively, further enhancing the exotic rhythms with their vital contributions that tactfully navigate atypical territories. Shachal's collaborator from the Cardamon Quartet, Uri Sharlin, has once again provided excellent work on the accordian to complement Shachal's lead solo work, as well as adding integral depth and texture to the overall sound. Harvey Valdez's talents on the oud capture the spotlight at times and provide compelling support elsewhere. Skye Steele wields the violin and kermane, bowing both with wonderous effect that adds another key dimension to the group's sonic concept. Shachal's selections for his own instruments, including clarinet, alto sax, and soprano sax, present the listeners with sharp, piercing voicings that carve out crisp, lively scenes of sound weaving spellbindingly enigmatic themes that at are times fervent, feverish, and fierce, as well as soothing, solacing, and seductive elsewhere.
Drawing from traditional Middle-Eastern modes known as "maqams", ANISTAR, led by Harel Shachal, construct their exotically ornate soundscapes with skillful improvisation that fuses these maqams applying an art known as "taqsim". Shachal explains that he has traveled far and wide to remote regions and far corners of the world to learn from oracular masters that are the sole living sources for nearly extinct dialects of music. These remote masters that are the sole proprietors and are the last remaining human linkage in the continuum of these ancient musical styles, have provided Shachal with guidance, learning, and training in these nearly lost, obscure lexicons. Shachal credits the extraordinary, specialized talents of the ANISTAR ensemble members for furnishing and cultivating the group's distinctive sound, adding that their exceptional skills as improvisers was essential to the effort and was "an important essence in the creation of each song." For further explanation of the art of taqsim that applies these maqams in his own words, please refer to Shachal's webpage that gives a more in depth explanation of maqams, taqsims, and their origins:
web site.
All in all, Esh from ANISTAR is a fascinating set of exotically flavored arrangements that will dazzle both casual listeners and seasoned instrumental musicians with equal fervor. Listeners interested in expanding their world music listening experience by venturing into territories seasoned with Middle-Eastern, Mediterranean, and North African accents will enjoy Esh for its easily accessible themes, compelling rhythms, and dynamic arrangements that are generously spiced with unusual, zestful flavorings. Serious instrumental musicians should check out the unusual and oddly metered rhythms, strange modes, ardent phrasings, foreign lexicons and wildly colorful, accentuated vernaculars employed by Shachal on this album to broaden their musical perspectives and gain insights into potential directions for exploration and development to augment their core, conventional or progressive world folk repertoires. Shachal has manifested a lifetime of his arduous pursuit in the quest for the uncommon and even the arcane; he has pulled together a diverse array of world music flavorings from around the Middle-Eastern, Mediterranean, and North African areas into a distinctive, seamlessly integrated style uniquely accented such that it is a marvel to behold. This is not only one of the best albums I have ever received for review, but due to its highly developed and unusual lyricism, musical excellence, uniqueness, and group effort in integrating the diverse talents that comprise ANISTAR, I consider Esh to be among the finest albums in my entire collection. Shachal and the ANISTAR ensemble demonstrate mastery over an uncommon path in music that most have never set foot, and of the others that have, makes apparent that those have only barely scratched the surface relative to what the ANISTAR ensemble accomplishes on this masterpiece, Esh.
Esh is a phenomenal effort in progressive world fusion offering a tantalizing kaleidescope of authentic Middle-Eastern, North African and Mediterranean musical stylings. This album comes highly recommended for casual listeners, as well as professional caliber musicians and instrumentalists interested in expanding their musical horizons.
Christopher Ruel
Понравилось с первой комозиции с первого прослушивания! Просто замечательная музыка, всё очень органично. Хороший синтез различных традиций.