HASIDIC NEW WAVE - From the Belly of Abraham/Adventures of the Afro-Semitic Diaspora (KFW 294)

This is the fourth fabulous release from Frank London & Greg Wall's exciting post-klez/jazz/psych quintet with the unstoppable Dave Fiuczynski on lead guitar, Fima Ephron on bass and Aaron Alexander on drums plus Jamie Saft on organ and the Yakar Rhythms (from Dakar) on sabar, djembe & dun-dun. The opening tune "Waaw-Waaw" has a funky, middle-eastern melody with mesmerizing muted trumpet, tenor sax and electric guitar lines spiraling with layers of pumping African percussion and popping electric bass. "Yemin HaShem" is also fueled by dense African percussion and the melody from a spiritual Hasidic song - with some fine slow-burn solos from the tenor sax and trumpet. "Bread of Affliction" refers to matzos and is based on a Yaba rhythm (from St Louis?!?) - Greg unleashes a powerful sax solo up-front as the Yakar Rhythm pound out their hypnotic beat with Fima popping on his bass and Aaron also propelling the rhythm skywards. The Fuze takes one of his marvelous, sly, wah-wah, note-bending guitar solos which will make all of us electric guitar fans smile. Frank's "Sea of Reeds" is a fine laid back, groove tune for warm muted trumpet and sax and a Ndow Robin chugging rhythm. The Fuze's "Frydginator" features the quick and insane rhythm of N'Yanka and the sax and trumpet explode short solos one after the other - while Dave's guitar burns furiously underneath! "The Sacred Line" has a dreamy, enchanting vibe for floating sax and muted trumpet which caress in soft clouds. Aaron's "Bo-Peep" features passionate solos from Greg Wall and Frank London and has a joyous and uplifting melody. Frank's "Spirit of Jew-Jew" closes this wondrous endeavor and is an homage to classic modern jazz of the sixties and seventies which combined African and Asian music with jazz in a successful way with the integrity intact. The quick paced rhythm and flow are hypnotic, engaging and funky in a joyous release of spirits that turns us all into dancing fools. This is another delicious stew from our fine friends in Hasidic New Wave.