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Reviews

 

"Far from just another chunk of culture-hopping opportunism, Martha Lewis’ Cafe Aman is a unique cultural crossover driven by a charismatic leader, that is as much about changing London as it is about traditional roots, and that burns a volatile fuel of European folk-music, 90s technology and pop influences, jazz improvisation. Cafe Aman is going places."
John Fordham, The Guardian

"Held together by the passionate. almost eerie vocals of songstress Martha Lewis, this nine-piece orchestra fuses ancient Byzantine sounds with modern jazz rhythms and it turns out to be a compelling melange."
Evening Standard

"... an infectious collision between rembetika, tango and soul."
Guardian Guide

"... excellent ..."
BBC GLR

"... the extraordinary visionary sound and sheer virtuosity of all the musicians ..." Komedia Brighton
        
"Lewis has created music with a full, rich texture which wraps the audience in sound without suffocating, allowing each instrument the space to breathe and perform... the compositions are sung in Greek serving to treat the vocals as an additional instrument... From the wailing, mournful lament of 'Se thelo' (I want you) with its intricate melody and counter-melody duels between the performers to 'All of us' with its repeated figures and sequences offset by Arabic influenced violin solo.. Here world music collides with the 'Dark Side of the Moon' era Pink Floyd. Powerful drums and mantra-like vocal delivery, highlight the feeling of spirituality which influences Martha’s music ..”
Absolute World

"What a night! It was a fusion night whose sound has yet to be classified in one neat, wrap it all word. ... An eeriness filled the concert hall as the band generated almost Byzantine ambience which gradually emerged with lush string, accordion, acoustic guitars and forceful percussion”.
Parikiaki

"This is intelligent and original music springing from the very heart of 90s cosmopolitan London."
Channel 4

                 
"Martha Lewis' Cafe Aman project marries the urban blues of the cafes of Athens in the 1920s with other musics. Martha grew up in London and in Cyprus and her dance-friendly world music takes in tango, classical music and Greek rhythms. The instrumentation of her band includes cellos, violin and street accordion which provides a nostalgic and lyrical background to her striking vocal lead."
Stephen Graham Jazz Mag