Ghetto by Spike Orchestra

Inspired by the Warsaw Ghetto this suite by Sam Eastmond and Nikki Franklin features three different-sized ensembles and melds jazz, klezmer, avant-garde and free improvisation.

"Spike Orchestra is bringing Jewish music into some amazing and beautiful territory. With great writing and inspired playing, they have one foot in the past, one in the present, and another solidly in the future (yes, that's three feet). Highly recommended!"
Jon Madof
(Zion80, Rashanim)

'There are plenty of specifics to admire here: the attention paid to the programming of the album; some standout solo contributions, not so much 'balanced with' as 'integrated within' the compositional elements; the imaginative use of bass clarinet and accordion to augment subtly the traditional big band palette; and much else besides.

Speaking more broadly, in drawing on many and varied jazz and klezmer influences as it does, the music of course has clear stylistic precedents. But ultimately, it sounds like nothing quite so much as itself, which is probably absolutely the most which can ever be asked of creative music.

Alexander Hawkins'

Tracklist

1.	Life Before	2:49

2.	Construction	10:14

3.	Life After	4:11

4.	Child Smugglers	2:00

5.	Underground	9:03

6.	Life Inside	2:11

7.	Starvation	3:58

8.	Trains	10:24

9.	Pesach 1943	2:39

10.	Uprising	8:03

Credits

released February 15, 2015

The Spike Orchestra
tracks 2,5,8 & 10

Mike Wilkins Alto Sax/Clarinet
Claude Werner Alto Sax/Flute
Nick Blake Tenor & Soprano Sax
Jon Gillies Tenor Sax
Erica Clarke Baritone Sax/
Bass Clarinet

Karen Straw Trumpet
Paul Gardner Trumpet
Chris Caulfield Trumpet
Joe Rodwell Trumpet
Andrew Roberts Trumpet

Ben Greenslade-StantonTrombone
Jon Stokes Trombone
Tom Dunnett Trombone
Andy Lester Bass Trombone
James Lawrence Tuba

Moss Freed Guitar
Mike Guy Accordion
Sam Leak Piano/Fender Rhodes
Mat Heighway Double Bass
Pete Cater Drums

Solos
2. Sam Eastmond, Nikki Franklin, Mike Wilkins
5. Jon Stokes, Ben Greenslade-Stanton, Moss Freed
8. Nick Blake
10. Pete Cater, Sam Leak

Spiketet
tracks 1,3 & 6

Sam Eastmond Trumpet
Nikki Franklin Voice
Dan Oates Violin
Mike Guy Accordion
Mat Heighway Double Bass
Pete Cater Drums

Duo
tracks 4,7 & 9

Sam Eastmond Trumpet Nikki Franklin Voice

Album recorded mixed and mastered By BGS at Kungar Sound Studios August 2014
Assistant Engineer X.Iles
Produced By Sam Eastmond, Nikki Franklin and BGS

License