For a good musical time, call Paul Shapiro. The saxophonist and composer brings on the Jewish soul music — from “Hashivenu” to “Surfin’ Salami” — with his new album, Shofarot Verses (Tzadik). The former member of “avant-funk” ensemble Foreign Legion, with Steven Bernstein (7-18-14 AJW), teams up with the brilliantly eclectic guitarist Marc Ribot, on these nine songs. Brad Jones, bass, and Tony Lewis, drum, make up the solid rhythm section. You can get in the High Holy Days mood with “Ashamnu,” the communal confessional prayer, with the traditional solemn melody, and Shapiro as the ba’al tekia, shofar blaster. “Daven Dance” evokes the ecstasy of prayer turning to dance. And “In Phrygia” moves from Cuban rhythms to the ancient kingdom in Anatolia, now called Turkey. — M.S.
