FT -The Tide Has Changed (4 stars)

  Jazz

Gilad Atzmon & the Orient House Ensemble: The Tide Has Changed

By Mike Hobart

Published: October 2 2010 00:16

Gilad Atzmon & the Orient House Ensemble

The Tide Has Changed

(World Village)

The Israeli-born multi-instrumentalist marks a decade leading the Orient House Ensemble with this powerful, finished-article blend of Middle Eastern cadences and unfettered jazz. The agitational spirit is undimmed, but now there is a pensive undertow implying the tide hasn’t necessarily changed for the better.

Atzmon delivers spirituality and time-bending alto-sax virtuosity on the title track, the introduction is dark-hewed burlesque and there is a village dance finale. Highlights include a clarinet and wordless vocal lament and a soprano-sax excursion on Ravel’s Boléro