While
John Coltrane and
Yusef Lateef brought Middle Eastern elements to jazz, oud player
George Mgrichian did the opposite by bringing jazz sensibilities to the music of the Middle East. Make no mistake --
One Man's Passion is traditional Middle Eastern music first and foremost, and was rightly placed in the world music sections of CD stores. But
Mgrichian's band -- which unites traditional instruments like the kanoon and the drabukha with soprano sax, electric bass and 12-string guitar -- is so improvisatory and spontaneous-sounding that jazz enthusiasts should definitely take notice. When Baronian lets loose on his soprano, he gives the impression that he's quite familar with the work of
Coltrane and
Wayne Shorter. ~ Alex Henderson