Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band

Klezmer is commonly used to describe Eastern European-based Jewish folk music. It's deeply spiritual, almost guttural, and heavily steeped in tradition. It has been called Jewish soul music, which makes sense when considering a lot of the music is found in the ecstatic songs and dances of the Hasidim, those Jews who maintained the highest standard of religious observance and moral action. It is a key component in Jewish celebrations, and is often played at weddings, where the dancing and the music are interconnected.

Like many Middle Eastern musical traditions there are moments of pure ecstasy in the music. Dare we say: It's transcendental. Klezmer is easily jazz's grandfather.

BKB embrace both composing and arranging pieces throughout their latest release, Sweet Return. Bookended by two tracks Sweet Return is a love letter to the Shekhina, in Judaism the feminine, indwelling presence of the divine. 'Royz Royz (Rose Rose)' is a song of longing for her, while 'Shekhina: Cut from the Same Cloth' is a timely song about the troubles of the modern world, and a call to warring nations and people in conflict to remember her. If you let yourself go, there are some very intense musical moments that seem to speak more to the inner murmur of the soul than to the ears.

BKB's live performance on May 11th at Hugh's Room in Toronto brought to life the band behind the CD, and the emotion behind the songs. The deep notes and bright moments of the title track 'Sweet Return' where at times ponderous while at the same ecstatic. The performances not only showcased the album, but the musical depth and diversity of Klezmer.