Avataar - Worldview (Friday, October 29th on InSound Records)

Avataar is an award-winning world-jazz group featuring a cohort of some of Toronto’s finest jazz, world, funk, and pop musicians. The music is inspired by the deep musical traditions of India, Africa and Brazil, and is rooted within the framework of modern jazz. In an innovative marriage of ancient and modern, driving grooves intersect with cinematic atmospheres and soaring melodies, creating a fresh sonic experience.

The music in Worldview represents a logical artistic evolution for its leader, Sundar Viswanathan. The album is a musical commentary on the state of our world, on the pandemic, and on the inability of our leaders to lead with integrity, honesty, and compassion. While the actions of our leaders affected so many, some of the songs started as gut responses to the treatment of children, our most valuable and vulnerable citizens, and act as vehicles of catharsis for the composer. Song Song explores ideas of childhood nostalgia and memory, and the homesickness and saudade one feels when trying to recollect that song that’s just out of  our memory’s reach. Little Kurdi (for Alan Kurdi) is a lament and memorial for three-year-old Syrian boy Alan Kurdi, who washed up on an Italian shore, a victim of human trafficking; and Innocents (12/14/12) is a dedication to all those who were murdered in Sandy Hook in 2012, tragic victims of gun violence. Together these pieces comment on the honesty and fragility of children faced by a world of uncertainty and confusion created by adults.

Isolation during the COVID lockdown presented not only challenges but an opportunity for a great deal of introspection. The time spent alone offered a potential for creation and self-discovery, and a chance to see things from many perspectives. The fundamental message of this album is that all should have a place of safety, physically and emotionally.

1. Worldview 4:49

2. Ekkriis Spirito (Reclaimed Spirit) 8:34

3. Chrysalis (Emergence) 4:31

4. Innocents (12/14/12) 8:39

5. Song Song 6:15

6. Blue As It Ever Was 7:15

7. A Safe Space For Children (For All) 5:46

8. Little Kurdi (For Alan Kurdi) 10:03

Sundar Viswanathan - Alto and Soprano

Saxophones, Bansuri, Vocals

Felicity Williams - Vocals

Michael Occhipinti - Electric Guitar

Justin Gray - Electric Bass

Ravi Naimpally - Tabla

Max Senitt - Drums & Percussion

Aaron Lightstone - Oud (4)

Todd Pentney - Piano, Synth, Rhodes (1, 2, 4, 6, 8)

Worldview will be released worldwide on Friday, October 29th on InSound Records.

Mike Freedman - Into The Daybreak (2021)

 

Into The Daybreak is Mike Freedman’s debut album as a jazz instrumentalist.

Inspired by 30 years of performing and writing in the Toronto music scene, as well as touring extensively in the US and Europe with other artists, Mike took to the studio to record some of his original songs and channel his creative energies.

The CD  features 9 of Mike’s tunes which blend his love of many different styles of music, ranging from jazz, latin, to blues and ambient music.  These 9 contrasting and colorful  tunes  glimmer with inspired performances and vibrancy.  The thread that runs through these contrasting tunes is the strong melodic content.  The tunes have a depth and feel that is both natural and familiar but also unique and memorable. 

Using a traditional jazz quartet lineup of piano (Jeremy Ledbetter), drums (Max Senitt), bass (Kobi Hass) and Mike on guitar, Mike and his band recorded the  bed tracks over two days, live off the floor at the world class Canterbury Studios in Toronto.  By recording live off the floor, the band was able to keep the performances interactive and inspired.  Additional instrumentation of Saxophone (Chris Gale), trumpet (Alexis Baros) and melodica (Jeremy Ledbetter) helped to add depth to the tunes and solos. 

With the assistance of Jeremy Darby’s masterful mixing and recording capabilities, Mike was able to capture a clear yet natural snapshot of these inspired tunes, filled with memorable melodies, beautiful solos, and heartfelt playing.  Into The Daybreak is a very listenable CD, with a radio friendly sound, stellar performances and a polished production.  Mike manages to walk the balance between accessibility and originality with this gem of an album, which shines brightly into the year 2021.

1. Day Of Change 4:31

2. May The 4th Be With You 6:01

3. Lamentation Revelation. 5:10

4. Samba On The Sand 4:51

5. Snake In The Grass 5:15

6. Into The Daybreak 4:23

7. Tomorrow Is Yesterday 5:02

8. Journey Beyond Seven 6:16

9. Resolve 4:21

Mike Freedman: Electric and nylon string guitar

Max Senitt: Drums and Percussion

Jeremy Ledbetter: Piano

Kobi Hass: Electric and acoustic bass

Chris Gale: Tenor Saxophone

Alexis Baro: Trumpet

Curtis Freeman: Electric Fretless on tracks 7 and 9

Louis Simao: Cuica on track 4

Mike Freedman Website