The Klezmatics are globally-renowned world music superstars — and the only klezmer band to win a Grammy award. The Klezmatics emerged out of the vibrant cultural scene of New York City’s East Village in 1986 with klezmer steeped in Eastern European Jewish tradition and spirituality, while incorporating contemporary themes such as human rights and anti-fundamentalism and eclectic musical influences including Arab, African, Latin and Balkan rhythms, jazz and punk.
Letters to Afar, The Klezmatics’ 13th and most adventurous release to date, contains music composed for Hungarian found-footage artist Péter Forgács’ acclaimed installation of Polish-Jewish historical films sourced from the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. The music is evocative, ambient and by turns psychedelic, meditative and illuminating. This is The Klezmatics as you’ve never heard them – deeply rooted in the traditions of klezmer and experimental avant-garde musics; Klezmatics filtered through Brian Eno, David Torn, Duke Ellington, Morton Feldman and electronica.
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Tracks:
1. HoraLité
2. Blut
3. Tish Nign
4. Olem-Haze
5. Dray Fidlen
6. Flarp
7. DeParnu
8. Nign Forgács
9. Tish Nign (Mizrekhdik)
10. Oylem-Habe
11. Shlofn Afn Yam
12. Naftule-Tsikl
13. Kandel
14. Beymer
15. Nign Forgács (Instrumental)
Credits:
The Klezmatics
Richie Barshay: percussion
Matt Darriau: clarinets, kaval
Lisa Gutkin: violin
Frank London: brass
Paul Morrissett: bass, tsimbl
Lorin Sklamberg, accordion, piano, voice
With John Mettam, drums (track 12), miscellaneous percussion
Recorded April 11-12, 2013 at Park West Studios, Brooklyn, NY by Jim Clouse
Mastered by Andrew Felluss @ MusicNetwork SRC, New York City (March 5th, 2021)
MAX XP processing by Guy Barash
DeParnu (track 7) mixed by Greg Anderson
Letters to Afar, a film by Péter Forgács
Catalog Number
CR2108TH
Read more and listen at Chant Records.