Search - Jon Madof :: Rashanim

Great CD, whether or not you're into Klezmer

Jason Scott Cuttler | London, UK | 03/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great CD and belongs in everyone's CD player. I'm not a huge klezmer fan in the traditional sense, but can't help listening over and over all day at work. During the week, its fun, light, jazzy and keeps me awake when the work-day drags. As Shabbat approaches, its an invaluable wind-down to the work week and wind-up to Friday night. Listen to it Friday afternoons or while preparing Friday night dinner.I highly recommend this CD to anyone looking for interesting, fun jazz, whether or not they are into traditional Jewish music."

Superb debut.

Michael Stack | North Chelmsford, MA USA | 05/04/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Jon Madof is a young guitarist performing in the downtown New York scene centered around John Zorn, Rashanim is a band he's assembled to explore a cross section of the downtown scene-- klezmer, rock, and jazz. Madof is joined by bassist Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz and drummer Matthias Kunzli. All three are exceptionally talented, agile, and inventive in their playing, delivering the goods repeatedly. Madof respects and understands the strengths of the musicians with him, often leaving solo space for both of them to fully express themselves-- to that regard, both Blumenkranz and Kunzli steal the show at times from Madof, but the music is better for it.



And speaking of the music, in general, this is an interesting slice-- Jewish styled melodies are performed in a rock style with substantial improvisation throughout. The performances really take off when the band locks in and hits its stride in a sort of egoless fashion, supporting each other sympathetically. Largely they do throughout the record-- Kunzli is constantly inventive and responsive behind the others, Blumenkranz shows signs of brilliance as a bass soloist, and Madof illustrates fantastic taste in accompanying bass solos as well as ripping loose himself now and again with quite a bit of wit-- he's really got a great sense of inventiveness to his playing.



Overall, this is a great debut, I expect great music from all three of these gentlemen in the future."