I thought Safa sounded a lot better in the Zion United Church this year, than they did in the Registry Theatre in 2007. The old churches acoustics are much warmer, and busier atmosphere of the alter seemed much more fitting than the black cavernous space of an empty theatre stage. As usual the band was excellent. Francois Houle opened the first piece up with double clarinette while Amir Koushkani gentle rhythms on the Tar, eventually adding in his vocals. Safa produces beautiful soundscapes with a mixture of improvisational jazz, persian, and other cultures of music.
