Nikitov

Amulet (Chamsa, 2004)

Music from the Jewish diaspora, broadly known as Klezmer, has its roots in East & West European traditional music. The music became adorned with styles & influences picked up and assimilated as the Jewish people moved west across the continent, no doubt bringing as much as they had borrowed. There is a timelessness about this sound, tinged with sadness, joy, loss, celebration, regret and a million other emotions and Nikitov have encapsulated its very essence on Amulet. Composed of three instrumentalists and a female vocalist, Nikitov (50/50 US/Dutch and based in Haarlem, near Amsterdam) feature violin, acoustic guitar and double bass. In recognition of Klezmer's origins the group, all trained accomplished musicians, have given their music a strong tinge of Eastern European traditional music and more than a hint of slinky, rhythmic, Gypsy jazz.

All of the elements of an acoustic classic are here - with the pure and emotive vocal of Niki Jacobs and Jelle van Tongeren's violin switching from lamenting Yiddish melodies to richly evocative manouche moves. American guitarist Adam Good plays Django-style and, along with slick bassman Jason Sypher, brings a very rhythmic feel to the set. The recording was made in downtown Brooklyn, New York (where else?) and the whole album is infused with a warm and comfortable ambiance in which the various musical influences blend to perfection. There are 13 tracks in all and the mood ranges from the upbeat to the downright melancholy - a roots Klezmer classic with more than enough in terms of light & shade.

"The way Nikitov combines jazz, Gypsy music and Jewish melodies with Niki's voice sailing over the top is refreshing and honest. And it works." Lisa Gutkin/Klezmatics.

[Buy Amulet].