Addis Ken

Saxophonist and vocalist Abate Berihun emigrated from his native Ethopia to Israel in 1999. He had been a busy working musician in his native country, playing in the Military Band, having his own group at the age of 21, and touring Europe on numerous occasions. His move to Israel was marked by menial non-music related jobs before he began to make connections. He was introduced to Israeli pianist and composer Yitzhak Yedid in 2002, with whom Berihun formed Duo Ras Dashen. The saxophonist has appeared with numerous ensembles, the most consistent and prominent being Kaluma (featuring trumpeter Itamar Borochov and bassist Or Baraket). A chance medeting with Israeli-born pianist Roy Mor led them to create the Addis Ken Project, an experiment in combining traditional Ethiopian rhythms and languages with Jewish prayers and themes. The addition of bassist David Michaeli and drummer Nitzan Birnbaum solidified the lineup: the results can be heard on the quartet's debut album "Addis Ken" (Origin Records)

The album opens with "Tefila (Prayer)". One can hear connections to John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme", with the swirling percussion, the piano glissandos, the arco bass drone, and Berihun's expressive tenor saxophone. The vocal blends a traditional Ga-ez (ancient Ethiopian language) prayer with a Hebrew prayer (the "Kedusha"). As Berihun chants, the rhythm opens up and the music flows forward. Mor's piano solo channels McCoy Tyner but there is a lighness in his melodic phrases. The alto sax solo builds off the piano chords, Berihun's melodic lines rising upward, very much like his voice. As the piece close, the numerous "amens" rise and fall gently on the listener.

The following track, "Des Des", is a delightful blend of Afro-Caribbean rhythms with Middle-Eastern touches. The piano solo is an example of Mor dancing with the bass and drums. The energy level jumps when the tenor sax: the music rushes forward with a power that energizes the listener.

"Ya Zaman" is one of the funkier dance tunes in the 13-song, 70+ minute, program. After the overdubbed saxophones play, Mor plays a delightful solo with the rhythm section bopping behind.

Later in the album, vocalist Rudi Bainesay joins the band to tell the story of "Adam (Human)" and the Garden of Eden. Berihun overdubs the saxophones (tenor and soprano) before Ms. Bainesay responds to the leader's vocal introduction with her gospel-like response (in English). She also joins the band for the powerful prayer "Behatitu Kadus Kadus (You Alone Are Holy)" which opens with a sample of a group of Ethiopian Jewish leaders (known as the Kessim) chanting the prayer. When the entire band enters, the music drops into a blues ballad with Berihun chanting the prayer. The tension between the voice and the rhythm section is palpable. Over halfway the eight+-minute performance, Ms. Bainesay takes over the lead vocal, again in English. Her dynamic approach to the prayer, paired with Berihun on soprano sax and voice, is stunning.

The album closes with "Batti", a lovely duo for voice and piano (and soprano sax at the onset). Named for a market town in Northeastern Ethiopa, Berihun sings a tale of man following his beloved to the marketplace. The vocal is extremely powerful, with great leaps in register supported by deep notes in Mor's left hand and framed by the pianist's swirling melody lines. It's a beautiful and ultimately emotional end to an album with so many surprises.

Abate Berihun has had quite a life, one in which his religious beliefs melded with his powerful voice and saxophones to find a way to true freedom. The Addis Ken Project, the trio of Israeli musicians who are more than a backing band often moving in unison with the leader, often pushing him and each other's to more powerful playing. Whether you believe in religion or not "Addis Ken" has an undeniable spirituality and music that is uplifting and real!

Listen and watch the band in action to get a feel for the power in the music.