recorded at Avatar Studios NYC Oct 9th and 10th, 1999
engineering by Jim Anderson assisted by Charlie Post
mastered by Bill Seigmund at Foothill Digital
art designed by Hjalti Karlsson
credits
released March 25, 2021
Chris Speed - clarinet; Brad Shepik - tamboura, electric saz; Skúli Sverrisson - electric bass; Jim Black - drums
The Wire April 2000
Pachora are among those musicians currently seeking to develop understanding of improvisation which is not tied exclusively to a grounding in jazz. Drummer Jim Black, Icelandic bass guitarist Skuli Sverrisson, Chris Speed on clarinet and Brad Shepik on electric saz (a long-necked lute) deftly dabble in adaptations of Eastern European and Middle Eastern folk traditions. Like their two previous albums, the result is refreshingly buoyant and consistently persuasive.
AMG 2000
Ast is the third release from Pachora, continuing their exploration of modal, ethnic flavored jazz. The rhythms and melodies are based in the music of Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean basin, blended with the downtown flair of improvisation. For this recording Brad Shepik has abandoned the guitar in favor of the electric saz (a Turkish lute with paired sets of strings similar to a bouzouki). Shepik and Chris Speed, on clarinet, are the main soloists, although the rhythm section also receives some space. Jim Black is consistently one of the most interesting and intuitive drummers on the scene today. Bassist Skulli Sverisson is as agile as anyone on the electric bass and, together with Black, provides a solid backdrop for Shepik and Speed's improvisitory flights of fancy. Chris Speed is dazzling on the clarinet, as he floats and dances above the rhythm section, and Shepik's saz has a lush, understated beauty. The apparent ease with which Pachora performs intricate unison melodies and odd time signatures is a testament to each individual's instrumental prowess, as well as to several years of performing as a unit. The tunes are almost all original compositions, as opposed to the mixture of originals and traditional pieces of their previous two releases. The cover of David Bowie's "Man Who Sold the World" is not nearly as out of place as it might seem at first glance and drives home the point that while Pachora is grounded in the traditional dance music of the eastern Mediterranean, they exist and perform as part of the genre-defying downtown aesthetic. - by Sean Westergaard
I remember seeing Bloodcount play at Leeds Irish Centre about this time…the band very nearly outnumbered the audience… but it was one of the best gigs (out of very many) I ever saw and the band were terrific…on fire…25 years ago!! Who says you can’t time travel? This rediscovered recording took me right back…what a find! Thanks Tim…Love & Respect. John Cratchley
Warm and enveloping songs from Dave Harrington, Jeremy Gustin, and Spencer Zahn with the ache of post-rock and the hush of ambient music. Bandcamp New & Notable May 24, 2020
I remember seeing Bloodcount play at Leeds Irish Centre about this time…the band very nearly outnumbered the audience… but it was one of the best gigs (out of very many) I ever saw and the band were terrific…on fire…25 years ago!! Who says you can’t time travel? This rediscovered recording took me right back…what a find! Thanks Tim…Love & Respect. Marc Ducret? My wife remembered his “scary sunglasses”… John Cratchley