ORGANIC NOISES

Imagine yourself lying on the grassy foothills of an Eastern European mountain side. You're listening to Jeff Beck, Lizzie Ball, and Tal Wilkenfeld strutting their jazzy grooves on your boombox, when a couple of nearby herdsmen, upon hearing said music, pause their sheep and goat tending to jam along with their woodwind instruments. Their daughters, once playing nearby, come over to sing along in their native Balkan language. A cool blend of jazz-backed ethnic prog echoes forth throughout the valley. Welcome to the feeling and sounds of Organic Noises -- a blend of traditional ethnic instruments (duduk, zurna, shvi) and modern instruments (electric violin, electric guitar, bass, keyboard/synth) -- alternating between the sublime and energetic, ancient and modern. The band channels the sounds and energies of Eastern European, Balkan, and Armenian traditions. Fans of Azigza, Beats Antique, The Moon and the Nightspirit, and Tunderground will find much to like here.

Band members, all accomplished graduates of European music academies, have garnered numerous music awards and nominations. Members Karolina Wiercioch (keys) and Robert Wiercioch (guitar) would later depart and go on to form The Seque with guest bassist Jan Kozlinski.

Well done, and thoroughly enjoyable, especially if you like ethnically influenced prog. A great addition to any prog collection. Four stars.