Chutney – Ajar: Sydney-based klezmer world fusion band CHUTNEY has just dropped their debut album, Ajar. This eclectic collection features 13 standout tracks, blending over an hour of original compositions and innovative takes on classic tunes, shaped by their experiences performing more than 100 shows over the past four years. The album offers a rich tapestry of sounds, spanning traditional klezmer dance melodies, samba rhythms, jazz lounges, concert halls, and beyond—encompassing everything from Beethoven to Britney Spears, Rimsky-Korsakov to The Godfather, and Mozart to Fiddler on the Roof.
Band leader Ben Adler shares their vision for the album, stating, “Our goal is to create music that moves people—both emotionally and physically. If even a single listener is touched by our work, we’ll consider the album a success.”
Check out: The Kraken Music – Money Magnet
With its eclectic mix of genres and styles—ranging from a Rachmaninov-inspired piano/violin cadenza in ‘Der Heyser Bulgar’ to the electronic vibes of ‘Leo’s Cry’ and ‘Sir Bunky,’ and culminating in the symphonic rock finale of ‘Kama At Yafa’—Ajar showcases CHUTNEY’s ability to seamlessly blend diverse influences.
CHUTNEY’s unique sound emerges from their fusion of Eastern European and Middle Eastern musical traditions with a spicy blend of original tracks and fresh interpretations of traditional dance tunes. Featuring clarinet, violin, keyboard, bass, percussion, drums, and guest vocalists, the band traverses a musical landscape that includes folk, pop, jazz, tango, classical, and funk, bridging east and west with their vibrant, genre-defying approach.
