Bob Afifi discography. Personnel: Maria Jameau (vocals, percussion); Pablo Rodriguez (vocals, guitar); Nate Lopez (guitar); Bob Afifi (flute); Jacob Harris ...

Bob Afifi music CDs. Personnel: Thomas Buckner (baritone); Devi Mathieu (soprano); Shira Kammen (viola); Bob Afifi (alto flute); Joseph Kubera (piano).

Bob Afifi albums. Jazz bassist Mel Graves is also a gifted contemporary classical composer. Day of Love focuses on this aspect of his work. The title piece is a moving song cycle based on the poems of Pablo Neruda and dedicated to the composer's wife. The seven songs are scored for flute (Bob Afifi), baritone (Thomas Buckner), and bass (Graves). An instrumental introduction and a bass interlude complete the cycle. The words of Neruda did not only inspire touching melodies, but also brought sounds from South America. Afifi's flute is central to the work; its aerial lines evoke the Andes, while the bass anchors the piece in jazz and Buckner's elegant voice brings it into contemporary music. It does not really result in third stream jazz, but in an idiom where all influences are profoundly integrated. Simply put, "Day of Love" may be Graves' finest composition -- the work of a fully-matured composer. "Global Village," an earlier piece (1988, while the previous one dates from 1996), takes the form of a string quartet and is thus less striking. Performed here by Ethel (Ralph Farris, Dorothy Lawson, Todd Reynolds, and Mary Rowell), it resulted from a commission by the Kronos Quartet. This music is all about movement (the three parts are titled as dances), contrasts, and emotion channeled through playfulness. The last movement particularly shares affinities with Boris Kovac's string quartets. The performance is convincing, but the overall interest of "Global Village" pales in comparison with the title piece. ~ François Couture Recorded at Systems Two, Brooklyn, New York in Januray 1998. Includes liner notes by Mel Graves. Composer: Mel Graves. Personnel: Mary L. Rowell, Todd Reynolds (violin); Ralph Farris (viola); Dorothy Lawson (cello); Bob Afifi (flute). Liner Note Author: Mel Graves. Recording information: Systems Two Studios, Brooklyn, NY (01/1998). Personnel: Mel Graves (bass); Thomas Buckner (vocals); Bob Afifi (flute). ETHEL: Todd Reynolds, Mary Rowell (violin); Ralph Farris (viola); Dorothy Lawson (cello).

Bob Afifi CD discography. Mel Graves' second album for Thomas Buckner's label, Mutable Music, is a bit disappointing. Day of Love had presented a strong and touching cycle of art songs that exquisitely blended contemporary classical and modern jazz. Its follow-up, Ear Shot, sees ...