Mativetsky Amiri Pagé

METAMORPHOSE

Fifth House Records

Amir Amiri, santur/vocals; Shawn Mativetsky, table/percussion; Sarah Pagé, harp/electronics/ vocals.

The Montreal trio of Shawn Mativetsky, Amir Amiri, and Sarah Pagé join together to offer this most unique and ethereal project. Their music features each instrumentalist’s rich and masterful talents, combining Sarah’s harp and electronic capabilities with Mativetsky’s tabla brilliance and percussive powers. Then, blending Amiri’s santur instrument into the mix. This trio brings a middle Eastern beauty and world culture to this album.

Amiri was born in Tehran, Iran.  He studied the 72-string hammered dulcimer that influences the heart of Persian classical music. Consequently, he brings both culture and classical training into this project.

Shawn Mativetsky is celebrated as one of Canada’s leading ambassadors of the tabla. He is rooted in East Indian classical music and is an avid improviser. He has used his brilliance on this instrument to color the music of other artists, adding his traditional style to both jazz, pop and global traditions.  His solo album, “Rivers” is rooted in the tradition of the Benares style of tabla playing. He also dabbles in electronic music, synthesizers, and various soundscapes. When not recording or touring, he teaches tabla and percussion at McGill University.

Sarah Pagé has produced this album and is quite well known in Canada’s music circles as an accomplished experimentalist.  Her musical mastery of the harp makes her first-call to contribute her talents to various genres and projects. She is best known as a founding, longtime member of roots rockers, The Barr Brothers.  She has also released two solo albums, “Dose Curves” and “Voda.”

Together, these musicians create a trio of original sound, compositions, and instrumentation that embraces jazz, world music and cultural bravado.  Their album, “Metamorphose” is a collection of collaborations, with the title representing these three players and their shared understanding of music constantly changing shape, design, and presentation. That, of course, is the premise of jazz, being a vehicle of improvisation and freedom.  This album is a perfect example of finding beauty in an ever-changing landscape. Their sound is lush, peaceful, uniquely organic and inspired.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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