Piadrum Records invited the Lemon Juice Quartet to work on a project based on known traditional music. It was our attempt to merge the old and the familiar with new experimentation of today. Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz proposed to take the music of Erik Satie and Bela Bartok with a new approach. Eyal Maoz was instrumental in the selection and adaptation of these pieces. The result is a rich diversified style that is distinctively LJQ. It not only brings out the original melody of these compositions, it also preserves the willful and forward thinking spirit of the group.
This music is beyond category. Although Alex Henderson with All Music Guide disagrees that this music can be categorized as avant-garde jazz-rock that incorporates elements of Jewish and East European music. Lemon Juice Quartet, known to be daring and novel, has created an acoustic instrumental recording that is filled with innovative ideas, high intensity and sensibility. Inspired by the music of Satie and Bartok, LJQ has revitalized these classical pieces with their youthful and whimsical energy. Musical openness and flexibility, combined with deep spiritual thoughtfulness, this fresh new sound is a true musical experience.
Eyal Maoz and Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz in Israel formed the Lemon Juice Quartet in 1993. They met its newer members, Avishai E. Cohen and Kevin Zubek, at Berkley College of Music in 1996. The group has been described as the “darlings of New York City
For more information contact All About Jazz.
