Artist: Asaf Sirkis

Date of Release: 04/06/2007

Catalogue no: SAM 9004

Label: SAM 9004

Price: £12

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Track Listing

Asaf Sirkis - Drums, Compositions
Steve Lodder - Keyboards, Church Organ
Mike Outram - Electric & Acoustic Guitars

The most compelling part of this excellent new album by Asaf Sirkis is the wide spectrum of sound, creative rhythm and inventive soloing present on every single track. Nothing rushed about this music. It grows and glows within your ears and I was definitely transported to a better place by this exceptional instrumental group playing their one-of-a-kind genre called "gothic jazz".
John Prichard (Jazz-Rock Web-site)

Reviews

11/05/2007 Chris Parker

Sam Productions SAM 9004

Avowedly inspired by the power-trio music produced by Tony Williams's Lifetime, drummer Asaf Sirkis writes the material for this band ­ completed by guitarist Mike Outram and keyboardist Steve Lodder ­ by recording himself improvising, 'trying not to "develop ideas" but rather leaving it there as it is. I do not try to intervene.'

The resulting music has a floating, spontaneous feel to it; the kernel of each piece is usually relatively simple ­ Lodder's organ effects rocking gently between a couple of chords, or a slowly ascending chord sequence ­ but the trio's explorations of same are mesmerising in their subtlety and power.

Sirkis is the linchpin, his rapt but muscular, rustling drumming never allowing the band's momentum to slacken for a second, but both Outram and Lodder ­ the former producing a series of spiky, climactic solos; the latter adept as ever at moving easily between textural fills and cogent improvisations (plus three church-organ solo pieces, one dedicated to Sirkis's chief inspiration, Gary Husband) ­ bring powerfully individual voices to the music.

Thus perfectly balanced between structure and freedom, Sirkis's music works well on record, as here, but is thoroughly entrancing live.

10/05/2007 John Prichard

2007 Release: "THE SONG WITHIN"
Asaf Sirkis & The Inner Noise
Release Date: May 22
***** Five Stars - Reviewed by John Pritchard

The most compelling part of this excellent new album by Asaf Sirkis is the wide spectrum of sound, creative rhythm and inventive soloing present on every single track. Nothing rushed about this music. It grows and glows within your ears and I was definitely transported to a better place by this exceptional instrumental group playing their one-of-a-kind genre called "gothic jazz".

From a composer's perspective, this is Asaf and the Inner Noise at their very best! Clean, clear and free with lots of imagination. They have left their darker, more ominous roots behind and entered an entirely new area of their own creation that is very fresh, highly adventurous and sonicly optimistic. Asaf's drumming is a pure joy. Effortless technique guided by soulful intuition. High virtuosity with every on and off beat accent leading the way for soaring solos by Steve Lodder on church organ and Mike Outram on guitar. Simply exceptional music that gets better and better with each listen. Highly recommended!