Rudresh Mahanthappa - Gamak (2013)

The idea of hybridity has been central to the music of alto saxophonist/composer Rudresh Mahanthappa throughout his career. On his new ACT release, Gamak, Mahanthappa continues that multi-directional evolution with a bold, striking set of music that melds leading-edge jazz with innovative reinterpretations of traditional Indian and Middle Eastern approaches, shot through with an electric jolt of prog-rock complexity. Gamak, Mahanthappa s thirteenth album as leader or co-leader, marks the debut of a new band that is both a reprise and a reinvention. The album reunites the saxophonist with bassist François Moutin and drummer Dan Weiss, the rhythm section from his long-running quartet, which was last recorded for the 2006 album, Codebook. But the group takes on a radically different sound with the addition of David Fuze Fiuczynski, a master of microtonal guitar whose eclectic virtuosity offered Mahanthappa a vast new territory to explore.

Tracklist:

1. Waiting Is Forbidden
2. Abhogi
3. Stay I
4. We'll Make More
5. Are There Clouds in India?
6. Lots of Interest
7. F
8. Copernicus - 19
9. Wrathful Wisdom
10. Ballad for Troubled Times
11. Majesty of the Blues

Personnel:

Rudresh Mahanthappa - alto saxophone, compositions;
David Fiuczynski - electric guitar;
Francois Moutin - acoustic bass;
Dan Weiss - drums.