Frank London's Klezmer Brass Allstars / Chronika
Frank London's Klezmer Brass Allstars / Chronika, 2023
Out on Borscht Beat. Available from Bandcamp and better digital and cd shops everywhere.
This came out last year just as I uploaded my paltry Khanike reviews for the season. I still love those recordings, but this is the fun one - the full madness and energy of the Klezmer Brass Allstars meeting the craziness of the darkest season of the year. It's a shot of joyous energy—and while kids may like this, this is really an album for those of us old enough to dance with abandon.
The album ranges musically from hip hop to Caribbean ("Unity"—Carnival in Crown Heights), to full-fledged Klezmer Brass Allstar wonder. Consider "Greekz" (Yevonim) which features Sarah Gordon on vocals, a manic Balkan Brass Allstars, searing guitars, and yet, ends with such sweetness (before reprising the mania and celebration). The late Yossi Piamenta contributes some heavy metal, as on "Sto(li)ner nigun." Traditional Khanike songs like "Sevivon"(Topz) are turned upside-down while "Sabienu" (Satisfaction) is pretty much a straight-forward brass instrumental with all the usual Frank London flourishes and a touch of nign (thank you, Michael Alpert and friends). Alpert also delivers that perfect Eastern European nign/chant/folksong on "Booze."
In the end, perhaps this album was best described by "Unity" (Carnival in Crown Heights)—a full-on celebration of all of the musics that make us dance and full of joy. I also love the remixes - reducing/enhancing the songs to the beats and elements. It is the darkest time of the year, and Frank London and the Klezmer Brass Allstars bring the heat and light we need for this season. And, then he remixes it all and we see the music anew. The potpourri celebration vanquishes the darkness completely.
Reviewed by Ari Davidow, 15 Dec, 2024.
Personnel this recording:
Frank London: trumpet
Susan Hoffman Watts: trumpet
Michael Winograd: clarinet
Brian Drye: trombone
Dan Blacksberg: trombone
Ron Caswell: tuba
Brandon Seabrook: guitar
Aaron Alexander: drums
Special guests:
Michael Alpert, Benny Amar, Sarah Gordon, Meshach, Eva Salina: vocals
Yossi Piamenta, z"l: guitar
DJ Joro-Boro: beats
Willie Martinez: percussion on BOOZE
Sam Day Harmet: production on BOOZE, TOPZ REMIX
Benjamin Shwartz: organ on BOOZE
Carlos Metta percussion on BOOZE, TOPZ REMIX
Curha: GREEKZ remix
Song Titles
- Topz (Sevivon) 2:51
- Greekz (Yevonim) 6:06
- Unity (Carnival in Crown Heights) 4:55
- Satisfaction (Sabeinu) 4:54
- Sto(li)ner Nigun 5:22
- Booze (Drinking Song) 5:56
- Yidz Pt. 1 (Beregovski) 3:18
- Yidz Pt. 2 (L'Yehudim) 4:30
- Topz Remix (Sevivon) 2:16
- Greekz Remix (Yevonim) 4:41
