Sachal Studios Orchestra: Jazz and All That In Memory of Dave Brubeck

Rating: ★★★

Record and Artist Details

Musicians:

John Parracelli (g)
Najaf Ali (Dholaks, perc)
Ballu Khan (tabla)
Derek Watkins (t, flhn)
Nafees Ahmed Khan (sitar)
Rafiq Ahmed (Dholaks, perc)

Label:

Sachal Music

Dec/Jan/2013/2014

Catalogue Number:

SM 026

RecordDate:

date not stated

The Sachal Studios Orchestra comprises musicians from Pakistan playing traditional instruments plus three cellos and three desks of violins. It is not clear from the album notes or publicity if the English musicians (including a vocal chorus) travelled to Lahore or overdubbed their parts in the UK. The Orchestra has attracted the attention of Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, with whom they collaborated at the Marciac Festival, and a further collaboration is planed in New York, which will provide the climax for a documentary film directed by Sharmeen Obaid- Chinoy. Although comparisons are invidious, this ensemble operates in a not unrelated orbit to Claus Ogermann's work for the old CTI label. The Sachal Studios Orchestra add a compelling ethnic spin to their interpretations of pieces such as Antonio Carlos Jobim's ‘Wave’ – an album highlight – ‘You've Got It Bad Girl’, ‘Ponteio’, ‘Moonlight in Vermont’ and ‘The Pink Panther Theme’ with evocative ensemble writing dominating and solos by (mostly) Nafees Ahmad Khan on sitar concise but effective. One of the problems jazz confronts in the 21st century is finding a place in people's lives, something this album achieves as pleasant, undemanding jazz-influenced background music and there is nothing wrong in that if it is done well, like it is here – so keep an ear open for them in a wine bar/restaurant/social space near you.

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