Cultures converge at rapid speeds and in totally unpredictable ways these days. I know it’s no longer surprising to see two NYC musicians playing ethno folk music with traditional instruments and an avantgarde mindset, but Tribecastan defies preconcieved notions about ethno obsessed 40-something westerners, something most members of the non-western cultures see as “orientalist” or whatever its equivalent is for other cultures. Yet Tribecastan’s “Strange Cousin” is no artificial pipeline or Eastern Western cultural bridge bullshit, these guys are real eccentric scientists, clinically obsessed with strange “out-of-fashion” instruments and have a huge ear for cultural experimentation, “ranging from Indian, Moroccan, Middle Eastern, Celtic and Balkan rhythms and scales, to traditional tunes from Afghanistan or Uzbekistan”. The world is not enough!

Out on Evergreene Music “Strange Cousin” is mainly the work of John Kruth and Jeff Greene with guests and friends like ex-Ween bassist David Dreiwitz and ex-Be Good Tanyas’ vocalist Jolie Holland. Highly recommended for people who want to break free of the sterile world music & free jazz marriages.