Naxos – Coexist, Live At Polin (2015)

Naxos

Milo Kurtis - leader
Apostolis Anthimos - guitar
Konstanty Joriadis - keyboards
Lena Romul - saxophone
Piotr Olszewski - bass
and others

Coexist – Live At Polin



MILO 302

By Adam Baruch

This is the second album by Polish World Music ensemble Naxos, led by the charismatic musician of Greek origin Milo Kurtis. Other musicians in the ensemble include vocalist Rasm Al-Mashan, keyboardists and vocalist Konstanty Joriadis, guitarist Apostolis Anthimos, saxophonist Lena Romul, bassist Piotr Olszewski, drummer Kamil Siciak and percussionists Adeb Chamoun and Anna Patynek. The album presents ten original pieces, four of which were written by Kurtis, another four by Joriadis, one by Anthimos and the final one co-composed by Joriadis and Al-Mashan. Following the ten tracks recorded live at Polin Museum of the History of Polish Jews, the album includes a lengthy bonus track by another ensemble led by Kurtis, called Drum Freaks, originally released on the album "Smyrna".

The music of Naxos is a perfect amalgamation of the beautiful Mediterranean music sources: Greek, Turkish, Arabic and Jewish, spiced with Rock and Jazz delicacies. Spectacularly performed by these highly talented musicians and fronted by the incredible vocal abilities of Al-Mashan, who not only sings beautifully but also is able to improvise with her vocals like al great Arabic singers, this music is a delightful musical trip to the heart of the Middle East.

Of course reading about this music is not a substitute for listening to it and therefore I wholeheartedly recommend attending a Naxos concert anywhere possible, with a guaranteed satisfaction, and in the meantime getting a copy of this wonderful album and enjoying it to the max.

Hopefully Kurtis and his cohorts will soon surprise us all again with some new music they so beautifully weave. In the meantime efharistó, shukraan and dziękuję my friends for the fabulous work and hope to see you all soon.