NAYA BAAZ CHARM

Abbasi and Feinberg‘s work is an almost perfect amalgam of genres. Much of this is due to the fact that each of the musicians in Naya Baaz has deep roots in jazz as well as various multi-cultural music traditions. They bring all of that experience to bear on Charm, crafting a sound that feels utterly organic.” 

4.5 Stars, All Music Guide (Matt Collar)

https://www.allmusic.com/album/charm-mw0003951967

“pulling the listener in with the very first notes and never letting go…immensely enchanting music.”Bandcamp Best Jazz in May (Dave Sumner)

https://daily.bandcamp.com/best-jazz/the-best-jazz-on-bandcamp-may-2023

“The end result of this carefully crafted collaboration is an album that sings on the strength of performances and compositions, rather than genre-fucking, while still maintaining respect for the cultures that inform it. Charm does more than charm – it dazzles.”Big Takeover (Michael Toland)

https://bigtakeover.com/recordings/naya-baaz-rez-abbasi-josh-feinberg-charm-whirlwind

Earthly delights. On Charm (Whirlwind), their debut as co-leaders of the new quartet Naya Baaz, guitarist Rez Abbasi and sitarist Josh Feinberg nudge jazz into Indian classical territory without clogging its arteries with overbearing percussion and pointless virtuosity. While it resembles a Hindustani jugalbandi performance in its balanced presentation of two solo instruments, cellist Jennifer Vincent and drummer Satoshi Takeishi help dial back any residual exoticism. Divided into three parts introduced by brief improvisations, Charm includes the raga-inspired “Bhairavi;” “Reaching,” a track recalling the Mahavishnu Orchestra’s cosmic undertow; and the uplifting “No Lack There Of,” which showcases Abbasi’s subtly raga-inflected and highly nuanced soloing style. RELIX (Richard Gehr)