about
On January 1, 2019 Esthema released, IV the album that Grant Moon in PROG Magazine called “Courageous explorations that cross boundaries and stretch the imagination” and Bob Mulvey for The Progressive Aspect stated, “there’s a wonderful warmth to Esthema’s music, one that beckons you in, then quickly wraps you tightly in its intricately woven mesh.” Their fourth and most ambitious outing, IV invites the listener to take part of a journey through the long-form compositional soundscapes that create a musical ‘edge effect’ – the boundaries where two worlds not only coexist but also change, and take on new diverse forms. Esthema’s beginnings date back to 2006. They released their first CD, Apart From The Rest in July 2007. Apart From The Rest was voted in the Top 25 independent recordings of 2008 at Indie-Music.com and in 2009, alongside artists like the Gipsy Kings and Arvo Pärt compositions from the CD were chosen and featured at the critically acclaimed Waterfire Providence in Providence, Rhode Island. Joel Simches from Boston’s Noise Magazine stated, “this recording is nothing less than a true celebration of a number of different styles of world beat, jazz, rock, ethnic European and Middle Eastern traditional music” and John Collinge from Progression Magazine called it “a seamless blend of Eastern and Western motifs: Ethnic scales and meters intertwine delightfully with jazz-rock drums and bass beneath jazzy improv and winding melodies.” In 2009 Esthema released the Hereness and Nowness of Things, which once again blurred the boundaries between Eastern and Western musical ideas and motifs. Janie Franz for Skope Magazine wrote that “these two recordings have already marked them as maestros of their instruments and as masters of world fusion like no one has ever done before” and that “Listening to their work is like hearing and feeling the heartbeat of the planet.” Lily Emeralde and Emma Dyllan of Phosphorescence Magazine called it “a world-class collaboration of the highest order” and that “once again, Esthema dazzles.” And Barry Clevelend for Guitar Player wrote “the group plays at a truly world-class level, with authenticity, aplomb, and exuberance, resulting in a sumptuous blend.” On June 3, 2014 Esthema released their third CD, Long Goodbye, an introspective concept album. Long Goodbye was met with a considerable amount of critical acclaim. Grant Moon of PROG Magazine said that Esthema’s “beautifully produced third album Long Goodbye is a relentlessly classy and high-minded affair but with a knowing rock vibe.” Bob Mulvey of the Progressive Aspect stated that “this accomplished sextet, who hail from Boston (Massachusetts) richly deserve to be heard” and Chris Marsh for Skope Magazine wrote “Esthema’s Long Goodbye is a rich progressive rock record that harnesses classic and modern sounds.” Since 2009, Esthema has been in the weekly Top 20 at Latch Fusion Radio alongside Fusion greats like Herbie Hancock, Return to Forever, and the Mahavishnu Orchestra, they have been nominated and won the Top 25 of 2011 Award at Indie-Music.com and their composition “Eastern Dance” went to number 4 on the Instrumental Charts at Indie-Music.com. On September 20, 2010 the International Association of Independent Recording Artists (“IAIRA”) certified Esthema’s “Eastern Dance” as an International Top 10. Compositions from all three releases can be heard on radio programs and stations throughout the United States, Europe, and Turkey.
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An instrumental music ensemble hailing from Boston, MA (USA), Esthema has been creating their unique sound since 2006 by fusing progressive rock and jazz-fusion with the sounds of the traditional music of the Balkan region and the Near & Middle East. The musicians that shape the sound of Esthema bring together both western and eastern influences, instruments, and concepts creating a musical tapestry that transcends musical genres and cultures.