For those unaware, combining Jewish spiritual and Klezmer music with post-minimalism classical, jazz, and tinges of American folk, clarinetist Sam Sadigursky (who has released 11 acclaimed albums as a leader, and appears on over 60 albums as a side musician) and accordionist/multi-instrumentalist Nathan Koci (a composer, performer, and music director working across a variety of styles and disciplines, from theater to dance to improvised and experimental music) have just released the next two volumes of The Solomon Diaries (Adhyaropa Records); a quintet of evocative albums reflecting on the Borscht Belt region — the primary Jewish resort community that helped shape 20th-century American culture — and also exploring contemporary immigrant and Jewish experiences.

Both a compelling musical remembrance of a bygone era and a look to the future, The Solomon Diaries: Vol. IV & V combines the Sadigursky-Koci Duo with notable multi-genre guest artists: pianist Timo Andres (Tony Award nominee for Illinoise), mandolinist Joe Brent (founder of Adhyraropa Records), kaval/alto saxophonist Matt Darriau (The Klezmatics), pianist Danny Fox (Nefesh Mountain), and violinist Meg Okura (Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble).

The Solomon Diaries Vol. IV:
1. Lev’s Loops (for Ljova)
2. Pearl’s Lullaby
3. Second Hand (for Guy Klucevsek)
4. Refugee 3/8
5. Mirrors 6. One for Kathleen (for Kathleen Sullivan)
7. Slow Motions (for Andy Statman)
8. Swell
9. Janie Claire
10. Fire at 168 Gibber
11. River

The fourth volume opens on the joyfully crafted Lev’s Loops (for Ljova) and then we get the aptly-titled, simply beautiful Pearl’s Lullaby, the forlorn, perhaps, yet still melodious Second Hand (for Guy Klucevsek), the fluttering Refugee 3/8 and then comes the cultured Mirrors.

Along next is the decadent One for Kathleen (for Kathleen Sullivan) which is in turn backed by the dutiful breathy ballad Slow Motions (for Andy Statman), the slow, yet lush dance floor swirls and twirls within Swell, the perky Janie Claire, the album rounding out on the veritably cinematic Fire at 168 Gibber and the flourishingly impassioned River.

Musicians:
Sam Sadigursky - clarinet
Nathan Koci - accordion

Timo Andres - piano (River)
Matt Darriau - kaval and alto saxophone (Fire at 168 Gibber)
Danny Fox - piano (One for Kathleen)
Meg Okura - violin (Mirrors)

The Solomon Diaries Vol. V:
1. Favorites
2. Lucky (for Sara)
3. Migrations
4. Home Theme
5. Strut
6. Supreme
7. What You Sow
8. Knots
9. VNP Hora (for Isaac Sadigursky)
10. Six Miles at Midnight

The fifth volume opens on the stirringly acute Favorites and the buoyantly playful Lucky (for Sara) and then we get the fluctuating Migrations, a gently melodic wave-bounce that drives Home Theme and the quietly strident Strut.

Then we get brought forth the flirtatiously sculpted Supreme which is then followed seamlessly by a dulcet aching yearn that threads throughout What You Sow, the flavorful Knots, the atmospheric VNP Hora (for Isaac Sadigursky), the set closing on the all-embracing Six Miles at Midnight.

Musicians:
Sam Sadigursky - clarinet
Nathan Koci - accordion

Joe Brent - mandolin (VNP Hora)
Matt Darriau - kaval and alto saxophone (Home Theme)
Danny Fox - piano (Lucky)
Meg Okura - violin (Migrations, Supreme, Strut, Six Miles at Midnight)

The Solomon Diaries Vol. IV - Official Purchase Link

The Solomon Diaries Vol. V - Official Purchase Link

www.samsadigursky.com