East New York Ensemble de Music

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4...according to our Business Lady on Fri 14 Jan, 2011.

More re-press action coming my way...this time it's the East New York Ensemble De Music. Comprising of Soprano Saxophonist Bilal Abdurahman and Ameen Nuraldeen on Vibes the duo are accompanied by various guest musicians for this very impressive LP. These lads are essentially applying elements of Asian composition and melodic structure to the already established sound of jazz that draws mainly on African rhythms. The sleeve notes boast that the lads are seasoned and well traveled performers with five continents covered in their pursuit of a more varied and excitable musical form. I can hear elements of Chinese, Turkish, Indian and Baroque's traditional forms as well as deep African influence that can never be denied. In parts this reminds me of the Ethiopian grooves of Mulatu Astatke, especially on 'Ti-Ti'. It serves the point that these lads aren't exactly breaking new ground (even at the time a relationship between African and Asian composition will have been apparent in many artists and composers repertoire) but their explorations are worthy of note, especially for their version of Freddie Hubbard's 'Sun Flower' performed on what can only be described as the most insane reed instrument of all time, the Korean Reed. It's got a mental tone to it.

Ahoy! Journey with us in Peace to lands near and distant, via sounds and vibrations
perhaps as ancient as time, yet as contemporary as you alone choose to conceive
them. "At the helm" is a nautical expression which symbolizes the musical route
set upon by the East New York Ensemble de Music. The musicians on this exciting
musical venture have journied to five continents. thus helping to broaden their musical
and cultural concepts.
Ameen Nuraldeen and Bilal Abdurahman, co-leaders of the Ensemble, have researched
and studied in Africa, the Near and Far East. "We are particularly concerned musically
with modulating from one groovy layer of polyrhythmic textures and colors to an·
other. Sometimes the pulse is very apparent, employing conjunctive and disjunctive
musical statements which may suddenly flow on top of, and then surprisingly descend
to lock into an African-Asian framework."
In the summer of 1972, the Ensemble appeared in concert at the Brooklyn Museum
as part of the Newport Jazz Festival. New York Times columnist McCandlish Phillips
later wrote: "The jazz program widened to take in the extremely eclectic musical
offerings of (the Ensemble) ... The group's performance had strains of Arab, Chinese,
Turkish, Spanish, Indian, Gregorian, baroque, and improvisational music in its texture".
Freddie Hubbard's hauntingly beautiful and melodic composition 'Sun Flower' is here
given an oriental flavor. A mosaic of musical images are weaved by Korean reed
instrument and percussion before the soprano saxophone and vibraphone enter to
state the theme. The ancient reed instrument was given to saxophonist Bilal by a
villager in Pusan, Korea. "If there is any such thing as Soul, in the sense that the
term is so commonly applied, then this instrument tops the list," states Bilal.
Ameen Nuraldeen, vibraphonist-composer of three of the musical offerings for this
date, vividly reflects both the mood and textures of the Near East. His. crystal-like
sound and forthright approach blends age-old eastern musical forms With contemporary
moods. Reflecting upon the Ensemble, he states: "At times when the pulse is not apparent,
ambiquous color is employed while soloists freely explore African,
Asian, and contemporary melodic and rhythmic devices."
The guest musicians featured on this recording likewise have broad musical backgrounds.
Each has previously recorded and performed at such clubs as The Village
Gate in New York City, Birdland, Mintons, and a host of others. "As musicians, composers,
artists, and teachers, our minds are open to all forms of music from the
various cultures of the world. At the same time, we remain fully aware of our African
musical heritage and draw upon it freely when the need arises."
--- Bilal Abdurahman
The East New York Ensemble de Music has been recently performing in concert at
museums, colleges and similar educational institutions.

Tracklisting:

SIDE 1
1. Mevlana (11:58)
(Based on Turkish religious melody)
2. Ti-Ti (7:12)
(c) Ameen Nuraldeen
SIDE 2
1. Sun Flower (13:30)
(c) Freddie Hubbard
2. Bent-el-Jerusalem (5:19)

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