Into the Freylakh

With a cover reminiscent of R. Crumb's work for the "Cheap Suit Serenaders" (which also evoke's Crumb's cover for the Klezmorim on "Streets of Gold"), and a lovely jazzy bass run on the opening "Grichester Tantz," this band leaves no doubt that it has one foot solidly in '30s jazz, the other solidly in mainstream American klezmer. And they are so good!

After running through several traditional numbers (including a nicely syncopated "Heyser Bulgar," and a rather more staid "Firn Die Nekhatonim Aheim" the band showcases some of its own compositions. Here, the focus is very much on jazz, and it's a pleasure. "Hot Sabra" features trumpeter Tal Kopstein. It is followed by a lovely, slow rendition of the Israeli "Ma Navu", deliciously sung by Jennifer Goltz. Bryan Pardo's "Spanakopita" is an especially lively and lovely jazz number, as is Dan McNaughton's "Leonx Road." The album closes with a gorgeous "Oyfn Pripetchok."

Into the Freylakh is an excellent jazz band with three notable composers. That they also play klezmer well (and feature a very talented vocalist) is an additional bonus. I really enjoyed this album, and look forward to hearing what the band does in the future.

Reviewed by Ari Davidow 8/10/03

Songs

1. Grichesher Tantz (trad.)
2. Der Rebbe Elimelech (trad.)
3. Der Heyser Bulgar (trad.)
4. Firn Die Mekhatonim Aheim (trad.)
5. Hot Sabra (Tal Kopstein)
6. Ma Navu (Raya Spivak)
7. Spanakopita (Bryan Pardo)
8. Beit Hamikdash (Tal Kopstein)
9. Lenox Road (Don McNaughton)
10. Oyfn Pripetchok (Mark Warshavsky)