Noshir Mody is a self-taught guitarist who was born and raised in Bombay, India. He moved to New York when he was 22, taking with him a knockoff Stratocaster, and during the past 25 years he has developed into a major guitarist and composer, leading his EthniFusion Rock Ensemble and the EthniFusion Jazz Ensemble and regularly performing with his trio in clubs. Here he is leading a septet on his sixth album, whose full title is ‘An Idealist’s Handbook: Identity, Love and Hope in America 2020’. Most of the album is instrumental, with his fluid guitar leading the way, but there are a few which feature singer Kate Victor.

One of the interesting elements of this album that we get three “sketches”, short primary takes on the much longer versions which immediately follow, plus the final song is a reprise of a number earlier in the set, here at about half the original length and in a different format. One of the things which is immediately apparent are not only the quality of the arrangements but also the quality of the production as it really sounds like we are in the studio with the band. Noshir says that listeners should feel they are at the front row of an ensemble performance, and that it should be played at volume on headphones so that the music immerses the listener in the experience. I have to say, that certainly works for me, and I love his delicate touch on acoustic which is quite different from the reverb-laden electric, yet somehow contains the same finesses. He may have made his name for fusion, but this is far more in the soft jazz style, and I even found myself being reminded of Albare at times. Overall a delicious jazz album which is certainly worthy of further investigation.

Rating: 7/10

Links:
https://www.noshirmody.net/