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Brad Shepik and the Commuters, The Loan (SGL 1518-2) Debut of BABKAS and Pachora co-leader (and member of Dave Douglas's Tiny Bell Trio and the Paradox Trio) features his compositions arranged for a Balkan/Turkish/Persian (and occasionally Afro/Celtic) flavored quintet. Supercharged world jazz. Shepik, guitars, electric saz, banjo, cumbus, with Peter Epstein (alto and soprano sax), Tony Scherr (electric bass), Kenny Wollesen (drums) and Seido Salifoski (dumbek). Richard Gehr's Top 10 for 1997, Folk Roots. “Shepik excels in a vein of ethnic improv that mines Middle-Eastern and southern European sources with real wit and passion... His playing has real flair, and the material is deep, spirited stuff – full of appeal not only for the avant-jazz crowd but also for world music fans and the hippie-groove contingent.” —Bradley Bambarger, Billboard “Shepik is one of downtown's most exciting guitarists... Virtuoso rootless-cosmopolitan groovesmanship at its finest...” —Richard Gehr, Village Voice “Shepik has crafted a moving and mysterious sonic landscape... He blends jazz with other musical cultures in fresh ways... His strong original compositions use ancient sounding melodies, written in challenging time signatures, to smudge categories, while continuing to demonstrate jazz's appetite for new musical partnerships.” —Glenn Siegel, Valley Advocate “His impressive mastery of the soft-edged musical mix and his virtuosity on stringed instruments yield a delightful outing.” —Nancy Ann Lee, Jazz Times

Cumin Sazbek The Seeress Gastibelza Rumi