(Fusion, Jewish, Klezmer, Contemporary Jazz, Progressive Jazz, Modern) David Buchbinder (w. Roberto Occhipinti etc) - Shurum Burum Jazz Circus {Monkfish Records CD0105, Canada} - 2005, WavPack (image+.cue), lossless

David Buchbinder - trumpet, composer
Pol Cousee - soprano, alto & tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, flute
Peter Lutek - soprano, tenor & baritone saxophone, clarinet
Perry White - soprano & tenor saxophone
Stephen Donald - trombone
Greg de Denus - piano
Levon Ichkhanian - guitar
Rob Clutton - bass
Roberto Occhipinti - bass (2,7)
Barry Romberg - drums
Parmela Attariwala - violin
Bridget Lamarche-Brown - viola
Carina Reeves - cello

David Buchbinder occupies a curious place among modern-day jazz composers. A fine trumpeter with firm roots in jazz, he has used the idiom to explore an eclectic mix of musical styles. The circus tradition, with its emphasis on borrowing from many world cultures, is a natural forum for such experimentation.
The selections on Shurum Burum Jazz Circus depict disparate musical accents vying with one another for position in off-center arrangements that have many surprises. The ensemble, complete with strings and woodwinds, has a dense and sometimes confrontational sound. The composer's style is borne of a sharp musical tongue and an ear for the exotic.
Tracks like "Invectus" and "Samarkand" best convey that harvesting of world musics with shades of klezmer and gypsy styles punctuated by the ensemble's playful overstatement. On the latter piece, soprano saxophonist Perter Lutek delivers a fierce, over-the-top solo that is one of the highlights of the album.
Guitarist Levon Ichkhanian gets a brief spotlight on the irascible and persistent "King Rat" and drummer Barry Romberg is excellent throughout, providing just enough push and excitement through sudden tempo shifts and solid support of the demanding arrangements. "Portrait of Cagney" distills elements of Raymond Scott with a hefty dash of the avant-garde.
Without actually witnessing the Shurum Burum Jazz Circus, the staged and choreographed multimedia performance for which this music was assembled, one still gets a good feel for the festive and devilishly skewed atmosphere. The music is disruptive, unpredictable, and played with precision and galling pluck by a fine group of musicians. Definitely one of Buchbinder's most ambitious undertakings and one of the most intriguing recent jazz releases I've heard ~ Ken Kase, allaboutjazz.com

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Shurum Burum Jazz Circus has been nominated the best Contemporary jazz album of the year 2006 by the Juno Awards.The Awards will be handed out on Sunday, April 2nd in Halifax. His performances have been extensively broadcasted by all Canadian medias.
The album is composed of twelve tracks, overwhelmed with the multicultural elements of jazz. The album is also co-produced by fabulous bass player, Roberto Occhipinti. It’s the first solo release of Buchbinder, featuring some great artists such as Parmela Attariwala, Rob Clutton, Pol Cousée, Stephen Donald, Greg De Denus, Levon Ichkhanisan, Bridget Lamarche-Brown, Peter Lutek, Roberto Occhipinti, Carina Reeves, Barry Romberg and Perry White.
The album opens with a kaleidoscope of music swinging like hell. The orchestration is perfect; the reeds sound majestic ending "Overture." This piece and "Clubland" are from films scored for director Saul Rubinek.
"Invectus," "Swagger" and "Fireplug" first appeared in a CBC Radio Words and Music presentation. Roberto Occhipinti’s plays incredible ripping bass on "Invectus." "Stone of Folly" was written for a short film and is without a doubt one of the best compositions of this album. "Monkfish" is where the reed section and the horns create Latin hops; the bass slapping provides a swinging unusual setting. "Samarkand" is joyfully creative, celebrating Buchbinder's multiple musical influences of klezmer jazz and his passion for dance and other arts. Whereas some classical notes arose on the tracks the horns keep a fairy-like melody. The innovations and passion that Buchbinder gives to his music surely rank among the best.
"Portrait of Cagney" and "If Truth Be Told" is intense, amazing and amusing. The orchestration tends toward a funky-jazzy mood that will leave, nevertheless, the audience laughing of joy. There may have been great CDs released last year, but none that I have enjoyed half as much as Shurum Burum Jazz Circus ~ Dr. Ana Isabel Ordonez, jazzreview.com