Nim Dong

Conceived by Australia-based Iranian tar (long-necked lute) virtuoso and composer Hamed Sadeghi, Eishan Ensemble is a rare attempt in fusing contemporary Persian classical music with modern jazz. While being seemingly disparate traditions, the modal systems of both allow for a flawless combination, as evidenced by the fine compositions on this debut recording. The opener and title-track makes for a thrilling start to the album, vaguely echoing Trey Spruance's work with Secret Chiefs 3, as well as the less extreme of John Zorn's Masada projects. Sadeghi's skill on tar is put on full display on the stunning second piece, ‘Solo Tar and Double Bass’, which features a gorgeously plaintive coda, performed by Elsen Price on bowed upright bass. Although Sadeghi is the sole composer, and as such his instrument takes the foreground for the most part, each piece is beautifully augmented by the rest of the ensemble. Michael Avgenicos' woodwinds lend a warm sonority that blends well with the brittle texture of the tar, and Adem Yilmaz's hand percussion and frame drums serve as a welcome substitute for the Western drum kit.

Following the brooding intensity of ‘Future’ and ‘Behind the Window’, the album takes a decidedly melancholic turn, with titles such as ‘Doubt’ and ‘Regret’ reflecting the pensive mood. The contemplative waltz of the latter concludes the album in a very different space to which it began, with Pedram Layegh's delicately arpeggiated classical guitar laying a suitable bed for one of the album's most emotionally rich moments.