The Times - Gilad Atzmon: Songs of the Metropolis, Album Review

John Bungey
January 19 2013

"It’s perhaps ironic that the Israeli-born saxophonist who has fused sounds of the Middle East with US jazz so skilfully should make an album lamenting the loss of local musical identities in a globalised world. Defying bland homogeneity, the saxophonist has composed tunes for his band, the Orient House Ensemble, to celebrate the musical traits of eight cities. Among them, Manhattan is brisk and funky; Buenos Aires is dark and smouldering; and decadent Berlin has clearly had one too many to drink. But it may well be the inspired detour to little Scarborough and its fair that draws the biggest cheers out on tour." (World Village; out Mon)