Compared to his 2009 heavy metal album Black Shabbis (get it?) New York wildman Jamie Saft is back in more traditional jazz territory with this year’s Borscht Belt Studies. But by any other measure this is some heady, challenging stuff, jumping between contemplative Rhodes pieces, improv piano-and-clarinet freakouts and dub reggae without little warning. If Borscht Belt Studies was that tough from front to back, it would fail to be as engaging as it is, which is why the album is at it’s best on tracks like “New Zion” and “Issachar.” These cuts establish a friendly mood to get the audience comfortable, before proceeding to freak them way, way out. – Mike Nigro
