Ittai Binnun’s ‘Home’: Jerusalem jazz meets post–Oct 7. reality

The Jerusalem Post reviews Ittai Binnun's latest musical offering, the EP 'Home,' highlighting how the artist's diverse career and the current realities in Israel have shaped his new work. Binnun, a multi-instrumentalist known for exploring various cultural and musical strands within Jerusalem, presents a collection that grapples with the emotional impact of events since October 7, 2023.

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I have followed Binnun’s long and winding musical road for some years now, and there ain’t a dull moment in there. You never know which way he is going to turn.

The EP features Binnun's quartet, comprising guitarist Joe Taylor, bassist Michael Mizrachi, and drummer-percussionist David Dagmi. Their collaborative sound is described as a "suitably stratified affair," weaving together elements of jazz, flamenco, reggae, and rock, all infused with ethnic influences that reflect Jerusalem's multifaceted cultural landscape. Binnun's previous projects, such as the band AndraLaMoussia (meaning 'chaos' in Hebrew), also showcased this eclectic approach, mirroring the city's vibrant and sometimes chaotic sonic ethos.

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The group moniker means “chaos” in Hebrew – albeit from a Greek etymological origin – which reflects the manifold nature of the genre and stylistic musical enterprise.

Binnun candidly shares the profound effect of the post-October 7 period on his creative process. He admits to being unable to compose music for months, feeling only capable of producing "depression music." This personal struggle underscores the EP's thematic depth, as Binnun eventually resolved to channel his experiences and emotions into his art, seeking to create something that acknowledges the difficult reality while perhaps offering a sense of solace or reflection. The review notes that music, like art in general, possesses healing powers, suggesting 'Home' may serve as an exploration of this very concept amidst national turmoil.

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Since, at least, Oct. 7, 2023, neither of those qualities has been readily available to any of us in this troubled country. Like the rest of us, Binnun has been through the emotional wringer and back, and that, unsurprisingly, has impinged on his artistic endeavor.