Member:
NogbadTheBad
(Profile)
(All Album Reviews by NogbadTheBad)
Date:
6/3/2010
Format:
CD (Album)
Esthema are a Boston based fusion band who specialize in blending Eastern European & Middle Eastern sounds into rock & jazz based music. The band is made up of five musicians playing instrumental music using violin, oud, bouzouki, drums, guitar & bass. As is fitting for a band blending musical styles they hail from a diverse range of countries, Turkey, Brazil, Argentina and the USA. The Hereness & Nowness of Things is their second release after a well received first release Apart From The Rest (2007)
The term World Music usually makes me cringe but Esthema make it work, this isn't a cheesy disk selling the benefits of meditation, there are interesting interplays of styles & instruments and ever changing dynamics. It is sufficiently different from anything I've heard before without being pretentious or over self involved. It's a distinctive blend of jazz, rock, eastern & western influences. It doesn't necessarily grab you by the throat, it's not that kind of music. It flows and washes over you and bears repeated listenings to slowly ingrain itself.
Plenty of hooks, & a very enjoyable listen, World Music in a good way. Well played & produced. Worthy of further investigation for those interested in a fusion of jazz, rock with a Middle Eastern influence.
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