Threads That Bind

After his insider's study of Chicago crack gangs electrified the academy, Columbia University sociologist Sudhir Venkatesh spent a decade immersed in New York's underbelly, observing the call girls, drug dealers, prostitutes and other strivers that make up this booming underground economy.

Discover the enchanting world of owls and delve into the rich tapestry of folklore and mythology that surrounds these magnificent creatures.

The music on this recording exudes a warmth and humanity that lifts the spirit at a moment when the threads that bind the communities of our planet are becoming increasingly fragile. Daniel Herskedal has travelled through Syria, Lebanon and Palestine to study and absorb the heritage of a region fractured by conflict, and has created a suite of music that celebrates the depth of ancient traditions, and the sheer resilience and dignity of a people threatened by forces beyond their control. Through the prism of Ramallah, 'Behind the Wall' evokes these traditions in exquisitely crafted music that is steeped in Daniel's insight into a culture that is far too often misunderstood by many in the West. But this is far away from being a simple political statement - rather, its strength derives from landscapes visited and friendships made, reflected by the music's lyricism and exuberance.

Heralded by The New York Times as a "virtuoso of the quarter-tone trumpet," Maalouf gracefully marries musical traditions from his native Lebanon and his adopted France, blending Levantine melodies with modern jazz improvisations. In 2016, he performed at the Lincoln Center, alongside pianist Frank Woeste, saxophonist Mark Turner, bassist Larry Grenadier, and drummer Clarence Penn, in an unforgettable tribute to Oum Kalthoum, the legendary Egyptian vocalist.