The Sky is Cloudy

The group's name doesn't give much away, but the plaintive melody on the duduk that opens this album makes its Armenian origins clear. The melody – from a song collected by Komitas – is like a leitmotif that keeps recurring in various tracks titled ‘Monologues’ for different instruments, in the title-track and in a reprise near the end.

The Authentic Light Orchestra, founded a decade ago, is an ensemble of musicians from Switzerland, Armenia and Russia doing jazzy arrangements and improvisations around Armenian repertoire. Piano, electric guitar and drums dominate the sound, with the singing of Veronika Stalder. I fear the group sound too much like one you might find in an international hotel playing friendly, jazz-tinged versions of Armenian tunes. The short ‘Monologue’ tracks that break them up are generally for solo instruments and are more interesting – particularly ‘Monologue 3’ on oud. But otherwise, it's easy listening, and sometimes irritating, Armenian jazz.