Addis Ken

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Addis Ken, from Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project and it's a terrific blend of African rhythms, Ethiopian, Jewish and modern influences. Opening with Tefila, Abate Berihun sings and plays a soulful melody on sax, surrounded by the improvisational piano work of Roy Mor, David Michaeli on bass and Nitzan Birnbaum on drums. Earthy opener. One For Roy has a terrific bottom and rich sax melody. With Mor on piano, working with Michaeli and Birnbaum on rhythm this really is a terrific track. Michaeli steps out on upright bass creating a sub melody and Berihun structures a super vocal melody chased by Birbaum on drums. Nice! Ya Zaman has a move western contemporary feel with a stiff drum kick, and beautiful sax lead. Mor emphasizes the rhythm and stretches nicely on piano creating bringing it back for another terrific entry. Anchi Jazz has a strong klezmer feel with excellent drumming by Birnbaum and strong solo efforts by Michaeli on bass. Mor is again right on it with piano creating super tension and Berihun really makes the sax work on this track making this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Funk laden, Prayer From the Heart, has a really great African jazz beats with Mor on piano and super vocals and sax by Berihun. Wrapping the release is Batti, Mor creates an structure on piano as Berihun kills it on soprano sax. His vocals are ethnic and soulful. This release is not for everyone but very rewarding for those who take the journey.