DAVID EL-MALEK

DAVID EL-MALEK
MUSIC FROM SOURCE (2008)
320 KBPS

After two solo albums that displayed his Coltranian influences and a studio and live album accompanying French pianist Baptiste Trotignon which were some of the finest French jazz releases, saxophonist David El-Malek wanted something different. Of Jewish ascendance, he had already payed tribute to its roots with some tracks from his solo works but never has he done it on a full album. Whatsmore, he always played with rather small formations (quartets generally) and felt a bit frustrated by it. And then came 2008 and Music From Source, an album which fully embraces his roots and features a "small big band" with all the variations and possibilities it offers.
It's a 8 piece band that is playing on this new album, El-Malek always plays the tenor and soprano saxophones but, this time, 5 others complete the brass section: Yoann Loustalot on trumpet & bugle, Thomas Savy on bass clarinet & tenor saxophone, Eric Dufaÿ on French horn, Denis Leloup on trombone and Didier Havet on trombone and tuba. Add to this a fine rhythm section with Jules Bikoko Binjami on double bass and Daniel Garcia Bruno on drums and percussion and you'll have the perfect band to express the depths and subtleties of El-Malek's tribute to his jewish roots. This album doesn't sound like anything I came across before and that's a good thing as it allows you to embark on a 50 minutes journey that is dazzling and joyful at the same time. Just try it and you'll see what it does for you.

1. Les Sept Fils D'Hanna
2. Antiochus IV
3. Avinu Malkenu Part I
4. Avinu Malkenu Part II
5. Solomon's Temple
6. Hitragut
7. Sion
8. Le Livre Des Rois
9. Ma Nishtana Part I
10. Haggadah
11. Ma Nishtana Part I
12. Nabuchodonosor II
13. Sissu Et Yeroushalaim
14. Kirya Y'Fefiya
15. The 2nd Temple
16. Dead Sea