BandOrient

World Music/by Erez Shvaitzer: “Band Orient” by Yair Dalal
Without sounding too exotic.
The scope of Yair Dalal’s creativity that includes the recording of a
new album almost every year and the constant investigation of new
musical territories is so wide that at times his musical profile seems a
little blurry. “Band Orient”, his most recent release that he recorded
with several of his old colleagues, gives us a great opportunity to take
a closer look.
This is an excellent album, that makes very clear the convergence that
Dalal suggests – that Oriental/Arabic music can coexist with
Western/Modern musical concepts. This convergence is very clear by
listening to the compositions and the strong emphasis on improvisation,
playing techniques and the final sound of the recording itself. Even
though Yair’s character is the leading force behind this project, this
is very much an ENSEMBLE effort in which all members contribute their
own musical compositions.
The percussionist, Erez Mounk, the electronic wind instrument player,
Eli Benacot, and the bass player, Tzur Ben Ze’ev, are in top form. The
great sound quality of the recording itself, makes each instrument’s
sound very distinctive. As a group they sound very tight and clear, and
in spite of the fact that there is a lot of improvisation, not one note
is out of place and it’s very clear that each sound was weaved very
carefully into every composition. If you listen closely to the opening
dialog between the tabla and the “fat” bass, and the slow, gradual
entrance of the oud on the opening track, “Before the Rain”, the
previous statement will become very clear. The surprising decision to
include an electronic wind instrument in this setting has quite a
positive effect. The EWI is a sort of electronic saxophone/flute that
allows the musician total control of a wide range of synthesized &
sampled sounds. In the tracks, “Arrarat” and “Between the Jazz and the
Tigris River”, this choice proves itself. It’s not just the introduction
of a Jazz/Rock element but a proof that this is NOT a forced attempt to
sound “exotic” or “authentic”. The fact that strong western musical
elements are part of the whole, is actually a very honest statement.
That said, to my ears, the choice of acoustic flute or saxophone would
have worked better on the track titled “Eyes of Sunset”, which I believe
is the most beautiful composition on this album. This track is a sort of
musical journey with different segments. It starts with a slow
repetitive movement that builds up to a swirling dance mode that ends on
a calming note. It’s a great testament to a good measure even though
it’s 15 minutes long. This piece has a very strong musical structure,
very captivating musical logic and great beauty – one of Yair’s finest
compositional works.
Even though Yair’s oud is the most dominant instrument, there’s a great
sense of equality and mutual creative work, and it is a treat to follow
each of the musicians taking his turn. Ben Ze’ev brings a very clear and
polished Jazz sensibility into the mix, while Mounk brings in his vast
experience in playing traditional music of the Near East. Mounk also
composed the track titled “A Wink”, which has more of an urban, fast
paced rhythm to it, and “breaks” the musical mold, but at the same time
brings a blessed respite from the rest. It seems as if this new project,
“Band Orient” should solidify Yair Dalal’s standing at the forefront of
ethnic music.

Haaretz, Dec 2008

 

Yair Dalal and friends – Inshalla Shalom – Live in Jerusalem – review by Billy Badley Songlines magazine – March 2006

A wise person once claimed that it is impossible to do anything in Jerusalem without it having political implications- no one is more aware of this than Yair Dalal, the virtuoso violinist and oud (lute) player who has led some inspired collaborations between Jewish and Arab musicians . For Dalal , such partnerships are integral to his musical heritage , as his family originally came from Iraq, where Jewish musicians were held in high regard. This recording is dedicated to the folk music of the Middle East, with Jews, Christians and Muslims coming together to share their diverse traditional music – more united by similarities than divided by difference. In playing a joint concert under the banner of " Inshalla Shalom " (an Arabic word and a Hebrew word, both meaning 'peace by the will of God') in Jerusalem – that most contested of cities – these musicians are firmly nailing their colors in the mast. However, all the best intentions would count for nothing if the music didn't speak for itself, and the performances are of the same high quality that we have come to expect from Dalal and his collaborators. If anything, the confidence of the playing is heard to better effect on this live recording than in much of Dalal's studio work: there is an immediacy, a delightful interplay and an evident respect between the performers that is entirely in keeping with the spirit of the concert. The enthusiasm of the audience leaves us in no doubt that it worked for them too!

Reviews on Yair Dalal performance – Womad festival – reading U.K July 2004
I'm a big fan of world music but must admit I hadn't heard of Yair Dalal. The late concert at the Siam tent evoked a deep calm and was lovely. We then attended the workshop and also the "Gala." WOMAD was wonderful overall, but Yair Dalal was my '04 favorite. Thu Aug 5 00:14:19 2004

Frances Bildner London UK
I went to Womad for the first time and was mesmerized. I think Yair Dalal and his musicians have an extraordinary gift,both in their music and in his vision. I loved every moment of their performance and would like to learn more of the music and his ideas. I was moved to tears! Mon Jul 26 23:44:02 2004

Roy Douglas – Bristol
Yair Dalal , A definite WOMAD highlight. Went to the gig not knowing what I was going to hear and was totally knocked out. The sort of thing that can only happen at WOMAD. Completely embodied the spirit and vision of the festival. Beautiful, global, inspiring, moving. Wed Jul 28 22:07:28 2004

Munene Ng'ang'a, London.
What an astounding musician who crosses trivial boundaries such as race, religion and nationality to bring joy to our ears. His music was an utter pleasure to listen to. Tue Jul 27 15:59:46 2004

Songlines Spring/Summer 2001
Yair Dalal is a fine oud and violin Player who Draws on his iraqi jewish and western classical musical roots to create a synthesis that is both individual and traditional… Dalal's great strenght lies in the clarity, poise and deep musicality of his Oud playing…

World International News – Sonic.com, August 1 2000
About Womad 2000
Israeli Violinst Yair Dalal, who'd performed earlier with his ensemble, kicked off the Grande Jam… As darkness fell, Los Lobos pay tribute to Jimi Hendrix with Dalal's violin fiddle soaring above the guitars into the clear night sky…

WWW.VH1.COM About WOMAD 2000
Israel's hypnotic Jewish/Arab Tarab Ensemble, led by peace activist Yair Dalal.

Sorlandsposten Norway May 10,1997
"A unique group that practice peace through music."

The Advertiser, Australia Monday February 22, 1999
"Given the preponderance of heavily amplified music at Womadelaide, AL OL , as they explored the rhythmic and melodic intricacies of Middle Eastern music in a kind of improvisatory chamber music, embodied refreshing subtlety and restraint."

NZ Herald Greaham ,Reid Monday,March ,1999 WOMAD FESTIVAL
"In a weekend of highlights Israeli violin/oud player Yair Dalal's two performances – the mysterious, elegant programme with his percussionist, and with the AL OL ensemble in a transcendental set before a hushed capacity crowed- was a STANDOUT."

Chicago Reader CRITICS CHOICE Neil Tesser 20 September 1996
"Dalal has created a graciously contemporary take on ancient themes."

Yediot Aheronot, Avi Efrati 8 .10.98
About Azazme :"The way Dalal plays the violin,there is something simple to it,warm and inviting, something with his presence and the synthesis works."

Maariv -Y.Charsonski
About SILAN : "A melting pot is created .That is Dalal !From a Turkish -Balkan rhythm in Acco Malca to Ararat in the Asian East returns to the Middle East to mystical vocals and than returns to Nirvana."
About The Perfume road :"The CD brings the Dalalian experience to one of the most authentic, important
and delightful pieces of our time."

Yedioth Aheronot, Boaz Cohen 13.8.99
.."we are not only talking about an excellent Israeli musician but one of the more interesting composers active in his field ,in the entire world."

Sociedad -Critica de Musica Pamela Navarete, April 22, 1997 SPAIN
"El evidente virtuosismo del defensor de la paz Yair Dalal Las largas composiciones de este m?sico israelita de origen iraqu? contribuyeron a que su concierto durara casi tres horas.A trav?s de ellas transmiti? la magia musical de aquellas culturas que le han influidio, procedentes sobre todo de su vertiente cl?sica, Pero adem?s fue ?ste un concierto de sensaciones, en el que Dalal nos transport? en un viaje – para algunos inici?tico- hacia la placidez del desierto , la reflexi?n oriental o la dureza de los ritmos. "

Courrier International Le Monde,Yoav Kotner 21 Fevrier 1996
"Le message d'AL OL est peut etre que le temps est venu de nous reconcilier non seulement avec nos voisins pal?stiniens, mais aussi avec la partie dite " orientale" de la culture isra?lienne. Ouvrez – lui votre coer et laissez-lui le temps."

Jerusalem Post, Maxim Raider
"It was so beautiful, it was almost unbearable. Yair Dalal ,with his mysterious magical smile, takes you on a captivating journey where conventional concepts of time,space and freedom do not exist.."

GLOBES, Yossi Babliki, Feb 2001
His Latest release "Shacharut" is really one of the best CD in the world music genre.We are talking about a real music phenomenon on the highest level in world measures.

 

 

PROGGY ETHNO JAZZ : THE MARMITE OF WORLD FUSION.
BY Bill Badley from Songlines Magazine, April 2009

The small print on the back of BandOrient’s first CD instructs retailers to “file under Ethno Jazz”: two little words liable to raise eyebrows for, as a genre, this has probably produced more shockers than most. However, one ot the guiding lights in BandOrient, Oud player Yair Dalal, is among the most adept and sincere musicians working in the Middle East today. It’s certainly worth venturing beyond the suspect label. What we find inside ranges from the truly sublime to the truly beastly, BandOrient’s other three members play assorted percussion, double bass and EWI
(Electronic Wind Instrument) -  a blown MIDI controller that allows the player unbridled access to synthesized sounds and samples. If you’re an ardent fan of jazz rock’s more noodley excesses, then you should buy this album straight away: all the playing here will delight and amaze you. Yair Dalal is quite magnificent, the bass and percussion playing of Tzur Ben Ze’ev and Erez Mounk perfectly bridges East and West and Eli Benacot demonstrates wondrous dexterity on his clever little EWI. However, if you spent much of the late 70s trying to avoid Weather Report, you may be a little more circumspect about the squealing synth portamentos that mar an otherwise beautifully balanced and tasteful maiden voyage from this group.