by Steve Loewy
Recorded under the group name, Klezmokum, this is really pianist Burton Greene's baby. In addition to Greene, the sextet features clarinetist Perry Robinson, tubaist Larry Fishkind, and vocalist Patricia Beysens, among others. The music is fairly straight forward Klezmer, although Greene's arrangements toy with odd time signatures and occasionally free harmonics. This has to be considered an interesting change of pace for the talented piano player, who is probably best known for his avant-garde excursions of the 1960s. It is fascinating to see where Greene takes the music, which hearkens to his ethnic roots. The results are life-affirming, if somewhat conservative, and contribute an attractive wrinkle to the world of jazz meets Klezmer. Perry Robinson's pristine tone and perfect technique bring out a new side of this under-appreciated giant.