Second album by La Mar Enfortuna on Tzadik, led by guitarist & oud player Oren Bloedow and vocalist Jennifer Charles from Elysian Fields. Featuring downtown jazz players like clarinettist Doug Weiselman and accordeon player Ted Reichman alongside a wealth of other guests, “Conviviencia” is a lyrical tale from the Middle East formed on traditional Sephardic melodies from the 11th to the 16th century. There’s only one song in English here, with the rest sung in languages like Arabic, Aramaic, Greek and Ladino. Oren’s fragile oud playing sets the ambience on most of the songs althought it’s never easy to overlook Reichman’s accordeon or Charles’ vocals. “Conviviencia” is never discouraging or evil but it’s pitch black with a shimmering candlelight through and through. A must buy if you’re into contemporary and non-cliche jazz & world music fusion!.

La Mar Enfortuna – Ya Kalbi Khalli Al Hal
La Mar Enfortuna – El Eliyahu