CD Review. Zoe Rahman - Kindred Spirits.

Zoe Rahman (pno/harmonium); Idris Rahman (clt/bs.clt); Oli Hayhurst (bs); Gene Calderazzo (dms); - on one track - Courtney Pine (alt.fl.).

Kindred Spirits is Zoe Rahman's latest project - the intent being to draw on music from differing folk traditions into one digestible whole. Hence we have elements of her Bengali, English and Irish heritage gelling together making for some intriguing compositions. Butlers of Glen Avenue comes across beautifully and could be subtitled The Wearing of the Green Sari. Idris Rahman's clarinet  captures the feel of an imaginary Asian Jazz Ceilidh! although Calderazzo's drums are far removed from Bodhrans and Tablas!

Outside In enables Zoe to explore, probe and delve into her esoteric side with rich chording, gentle mood swings - it is a statement - This is me! Imagination - a piece by Bengali writer, musician, artist and Nobel Laureate, Rabindranath Tagore - also delivers and allows Hayhurst to chip in with a bass solo.

Courtney Pine plays some nimble alto flute (try being nimble on an alto flute!) on Conversation With Nellie.

It's an interesting and at times compelling album that serves to remind us just what a fine player and composer Zoe Rahman is.

Zoe Rahman - Kindred Spirits. Manushi Records Ltd. MANUCD 005

Lance.

Zoe is in Courtney Pine: Europe which is part of the Gateshead International Jazz Festival Saturday March 24 - 7:30pm.
On Sunday March 25 She is part of a triple bill featuring Robert Mitchell 3io, Ambrose Akinmusire and her own quartet. The Quartet is as per the CD with Davide Mantovani replacing Oli Hayhurst on bass.