As part of the introductory trio of albums on the new Introducing sublabel,
Sukke is here presented as a semi-revolutionary klezmer trio. The press refers to
Sukke as the first European klezmer band, which is perhaps a bit of a misnomer (klezmer itself being a European style, the vast majority of klezmer bands have been European). They are perhaps the first Pan-European klezmer band, incorporating elements of regional styles and sensibilities in klezmer to their own concoction. The idea behind this band is a surprising one in many ways. While there is a huge movement of neo-klezmer seeking to fuse klezmer with other styles and update the traditions with modern ideas,
Sukke is not doing this. Similarly, they're not following the other end of klezmer's revival and attempting to dig out the old classics and forms for rehashing and preservation. What
Sukke has undertaken here is a forward movement in klezmer, but only within the traditional formats. The development of the art form without the mixture of foreign concepts or sounds. With this mission in hand, they perform quite well. It's a somewhat small sound for klezmer, due to there only being three performers. Despite this, the music is alternately lively and reverential, but consistently well played. Klez-fusion aficionados will likely be uninterested, but traditionalists may find the album to be an interesting departure from the usual
Dave Tarras sets. ~ Adam Greenberg