The Whole Music Experience

Oran Etkin Kelenia Motema Music I have been fortunate. I have received many recordings fusing traditional West African music, mainly from Mali, with American blues, jazz and now the swirling sounds of Jewish clarinet. Israeli reedman Oran Etkin (clarinet, bass clarinet & tenor sax), teamed up with Balla Kouyate (balafon), Makane Kouyate (calabash & vocals) and Joe Sanders (bass). An array of guest musicians also bring in cello, violin, guitar, djembe and bass. The end result is Kelenia -- a multicultural jazz stew with a warming effect. Etkin cites in the liner notes, "The music you hear was not created in a studio--it developed over the course of a decade as I was working with various African musicians in the US and Mali and then through the years of performances and rehearsals with wonderful musicians on this record." And sure enough this seamless fusion feels completely natural to my ears. The opener, Yekeke bubbles like champagne with its efferv...