We weren’t exactly expecting to hear such an eclectic offering, nor to come across it in our daily quest for music discovery. You see, it’s no secret that – us being a European-based publication – we tend to follow primarily Western music. You can understand then how excited we are for having the chance to feature Baklava Express, NYC-born collective with a knack for Middle-Eastern vibes, both in its sonic qualities and musical idioms. Led by Oud player Josh Kaye, the group aims to bring a wider audience to their fusion, kaleidoscopic records.
‘Dàvka’ is the project’s debut album, a long and interesting offering exploring everything Baklava Express has to offer. In it, the listener will first and foremost immerse into an alternative timbre palette than the usual: boasting strong Oud and Violin parts, the record complements them with traditional shimmering percussions, really delving into complicated rhythmic patterns, contrasting perfectly with the poignancy and intensity of the lead instruments.
Over nine celebrative and solemn pieces, the listeners will also lose themselves in the magical and exotic (to a Western ear) atmosphere, evoking a certain sense of escapism and reckoning. Perhaps that’s where Baklava Express find their motivating force: scrambling the current state of affairs, in order to build a better future.
Recommended! Discover ‘Dávka’ on Spotify and Bandcamp:
