Etkin, Oran
Motéma, 2009, CD
Instrument: Saxophone
Issue: 15.4
Jazz Ruler Type: Pop+Jazz
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 
O’s Notes: Oran plays sax and clarinet leading a group if African musicians that perform in several different ensembles. They have a great connection and harmony between them. This loving bond between people who are different from each other is called Kalenia in Bambera. The percussive beats were dominant but well integrated and very musical especially on “Nina” and “Nama”. Abdoulaye Diabete adds vocals to the mix on the title track, one of a few vocals. Etkin’s transformation of Ellington’s “It Don’t Mean A Thing” takes the song into his own space while retaining original character. This is a fresh take on World Jazz that works!
Publicist: Goldberg Media
