Record Reviews

OMER AVITAL ~ NEW SONG PLUS LOIN 4568 (Barcode: 3760002142340) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2013 Released: 2013 This is the ninth album as a leader by Israeli Jazz bassist / composer / bandleader Omer AvitalFind albums by this artist, a member of the constantly expanding group of Israeli Jazz musicians, who managed to establish an international following both in the USA and in Europe. On this album, which was recorded in France and released on a French label, he plays in a quintet setting with Israeli trumpeter Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist (resident in the USA), American saxophonist Joel FrahmFind albums by this artist, Israeli pianist Yonathan AvishaiFind albums by this artist (resident in France) and American drummer Daniel FreedmanFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven original compositions, all by Avital. Musically the album reflects Avital´s interest in Jazz-World Fusion, with his music incorporating a wide range of folkloristic elements, both those he was exposed to as a child in Israel like Middle Eastern Arab, Yemenite, Moroccan and Sephardic Jewish religious music, as well as more remote influences like Cuban, Salsa and other sources. All the compositions on this album integrate one or more of such folkloristic motifs, either in the melody line or in the rhythmic background or both. The problem is that all of that has been already done by Avital and of course by countless other Jazz musicians in the last couple of decades, and as a result these songs might be new per se, but they in fact do not propose any innovation, neither in Avital´s work nor on an overall scale. In addition the music sounds "nice" and rounded, almost danceable, and after a few songs simply seems to follow a pattern of unremarkable mainstream, sparkled with ethnic elements, which lacks any musical ambition and is unfortunately pretty ordinary. That is pretty sad, as Avital is surely capable of producing much more ambitious music than this one. Hopefully all will be better next time.

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REA BAR-NESS ~ REMEMBER & FORGET NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 080000049018) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2005 Released: 2006 There seem to be no limits to the explosion of musical talent emerging on the Israeli scene since the beginning of the 2000’s. This exceedingly wonderful debut album by drummer / composer Rea Bar-NessFind albums by this artist is so good that I (with so many years of Jazz behind my ears) could not believe I was listening to an album by young Israeli Jazz musicians when I heard it for the first time. This sounds as good as any Jazz ensemble featuring top world musicians. I know it sounds rather incredible, but it is 100 % true and very easily verifiable – just listen to it. Bar-Ness composed all the music and selected a superb team of musicians to perform it, which includes Omer AvitalFind albums by this artist / Gilad AbroFind albums by this artist – acoustic bass, Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist – trumpet, Omri MorFind albums by this artist – piano, Amos HoffmanFind albums by this artist – guitar and oud and Asaf YuriaFind albums by this artist – tenor sax. Omer Avital is an amazing bass player of the same magnitude as Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist, who is now considered one of the top bass players in the world. Amos Hoffman is an extremely gifted guitar player, but also a virtuoso oud player and he recently released a superb solo album featuring the oud (Middle-Eastern string instrument), where he plays some divine World music. Hoffman oud contributes some Middle-Eastern colorings to the album, but these are very subtle and tasty, which means that this is music is still very firmly based on the Jazz idiom and not moving towards Jazz-World Fusion, as many other Israeli albums do lately. If this is Rea’s debut album I can hardly wait for his next album. I have not heard anything that good in ages. If you are a Jazz lover – this is an absolute must!

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ANAT COHEN ~ NOTES FROM THE VILLAGE ANZIC 1302 (Barcode: 896434001177) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2008 Released: 2008 4th album by Israeli (resident in US) clarinetist / saxophonist / composer Anat CohenFind albums by this artist, sister of trumpeter Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Yuval CohenFind albums by this artist, who are also collectively known as the 3 CohensFind albums by this artist. Cohen is already established as one of the leading female Jazz performers in the US and her previous releases have earned her much deserved critical acclaim. On this album Cohen returns to a classic quartet format, with keyboardist Jason LindnerFind albums by this artist (the only non-Israeli on this album), bassist Omer AvitalFind albums by this artist and drummer Daniel FreedmanFind albums by this artist. Guitarist Gilad HekselmanFind albums by this artist guests on three tracks. Cohen´s prime instrument is the clarinet, which she plays masterfully and with a unique lyricism, rooted deeply in the Jewish tradition of that instrument, but she also plays the soprano and tenor saxophones and bass clarinet on this album, displaying her instrumental versatility. Half of the album´s material comprises of Cohen´s original compositions, the rest are standards, including a great version of John ColtraneFind albums by this artist´s "After The Rain". It is a real pleasure to hear these young, but extremely talented musicians, carrying the Jazz tradition into the next Century, expanding it with their own fresh ideas and youthful enthusiasm. Cohen masterly mixes Middle Eastern, Cuban, and above all Jewish ethnic elements into her delivery, with deep sensitivity and finesse. Overall this is a great Jazz album, which is also accessible to a much wider audience beyond the hard-core Jazz circle, without loosing any of its musical integrity. Delightful!

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AVISHAI COHEN ~ ADAMA STRETCH 9015 (Barcode: 013431901525) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 1998 Released: 1998 1st album by Israeli bassist / composer Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist, recorded while he was a member of Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist’s acoustic trio and the OriginFind albums by this artist sextet and released on Corea’s label StretchFind albums on this label Records. The core lineup, which participates in the album’s recording is a sextet with Cohen, Steve WilsonFind albums by this artist on soprano sax, Steve DavisFind albums by this artist on trombone (both Origin members), Jason LindnerFind albums by this artist on piano, another Israeli – Amos HoffmanFind albums by this artist on guitar and Jeff BallardFind albums by this artist on drums. In addition, some guest artists are also appearing, including Chick Corea, Brad Mehldau and Danilo Perez on piano. Cohen’s ability as a bass player is of course legendary and needs no further discussion here, but his true greatness is his extraordinary ability to compose superb Jazz pieces, which skillfully combine the American Jazz tradition with other musical elements, mainly folklore and World Music. Cohen’s Middle Eastern background is clearly evident in his music, although he is also wide open to other sources of inspiration. Of the twelve pieces on the album Cohen composed eleven using just one standard. The overall effect is truly refreshing and the combined skills of the musicians involved create an album of rare beauty, which contains an immense amount of new and exciting music. A truly remarkable debut, which announces many great things to come out of this extraordinary talent. A must!

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AVISHAI COHEN ~ AFTER THE BIG RAIN ANZIC 5101 (Barcode: 616892887928) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2006 Released: 2007 2nd album by Israeli (resident in US) trumpeter / composer Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist (not to be confused with the bass player of the same name), one of several Israeli Jazz musicians who are already firmly established on the international scene. Avishai is the brother of Anat CohenFind albums by this artist and Yuval CohenFind albums by this artist, both gifted reeds players, and together they perform under the 3 CohensFind albums by this artist moniker. This album is the first release of a Jazz trilogy called "Big Rain", and presents Cohen in a quintet setting with guitarist Lionel LouekeFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Jason LindnerFind albums by this artist, bassists Omer AvitalFind albums by this artist and drummer Daniel FreedmanFind albums by this artist. Chekere player Yosvany TerryFind albums by this artist guests on several tracks. The ensemble creates together a highly atmospheric and beautiful mixture of Jazz and World Music, which is a superb example of how Jazz can be saved from stagnation and pushed beyond its usual perimeters. Cohen skillfully employs the trumpet´s natural lyricism as well as electronic effects to produce a plethora of different sounds. Lindner´s playing is delicate and touching, especially when he uses the Fender Rhodes (no other keyboard except the Hammond has such profound and unique sound for me). Loueke´s guitar adds ethnic colors and his occasional vocals (in the Fon language) take the music straight into the heart of Africa. Avital is brilliant, as always, with his bass pulsating like a heart of the music and finally Freedman ornaments the music rather than driving it forcefully, which in this case is exactly what the music needs. Cohen composed most of the music, with Lindner and Loueke contributing one tune each. Altogether this album is an excellent example of creative contemporary Jazz, combining tradition with vision, excellently executed and uplifting. Wholeheartedly recommended!

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AVISHAI COHEN ~ AS IS… LIVE AT THE BLUE NOTE HALF NOTE 4531 (Barcode: 616892453123) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2006 Released: 2007 Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist, Israeli Jazz Ambassador in NY, presents his beautiful music in full glory on this CD & DVD set, recorded live at the legendary NY Blue Note Club. Since the 1990s Cohen established his career by playing with some of the finest musicians in the US: Paquito D`RiveraFind albums by this artist, Roy HargroveFind albums by this artist, Danilo PerezFind albums by this artist and of course Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist (in Corea’s group OriginFind albums by this artist and his trio). Universally accepted as one of the top contemporary bass players, Cohen is also a prolific composer and his music, deeply influenced by Middle-Eastern motifs, is always fresh and uplifting. This recording with his regular trio (Sam BarshFind albums by this artist – keyboards and Mark GuillianaFind albums by this artist – drums) augmented by Diego UrcolaFind albums by this artist – trumpet and Jimmy GreeneFind albums by this artist – saxophones, features a set of Cohen’s compositions (with the exception of one standard) and emphasizes his great talents as a player and a composer. The music is, as always in his case, complex and yet melodic with all the qualities required of good modern Jazz. Definitely something any Jazz listener will enjoy immensely.

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AVISHAI COHEN ~ AT HOME TAV 8 (Barcode: 7290105160010) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Although Israel produced a fair number of excellent Jazz musicians over the years, none of them reached the international fame and admiration of the same proportions as bestowed upon Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist. Cohen is considered one of the best bass players in the US today and his performances with Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist are truly legendary. But Cohen is also a pianist, an arranger and most importantly an extremely gifted composer, as evident on this album. The music enclosed here includes a set of ensemble and trio performances, all written and arranged by him and he plays acoustic or electric bass on all pieces. The compositions are complex, often incorporating Middle-Eastern rhythms and motifs, but retain a strong melodic feeling. The performances by all the musicians are truly outstanding and the entire album is a masterpiece of contemporary Jazz in every respect. Most warmly recommended!

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AVISHAI COHEN ~ COLORS STRETCH 9031 (Barcode: 013431903123) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2000 Released: 2000 3rd album by Israeli bassist / composer Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist and his most ambitious project to date. Cohen not only expands his personal musical range by adding electric bass and piano to the list of instruments he plays here, but also expanding the lineup of the participating musicians and even including a string quartet. The core lineup, which participates in the album’s recording is a septet with Cohen, Jimmy GreeneFind albums by this artist on reeds and flute, Steve DavisFind albums by this artist and Avi LebovichFind albums by this artist on trombone, Jason LindnerFind albums by this artist on piano, Amos HoffmanFind albums by this artist on guitar and oud and Jeff BallardFind albums by this artist on drums. In addition, some guest artists are also appearing. Cohen’s ability as a bass player is of course legendary and needs no further discussion here, but his true greatness is his extraordinary ability to compose superb Jazz pieces, which skillfully combine the American Jazz tradition with other musical elements, mainly folklore and World Music. Cohen’s Middle Eastern background is clearly evident in his music, although he is also wide open to other sources of inspiration, like Latin Music. Cohen composed all the thirteen tunes on this album. The overall effect is truly refreshing and the combined skills of the musicians involved create an album of rare beauty, which contains an immense amount of new and exciting music. This is a truly remarkable album, which portrays an extraordinary musical talent at work and shows a new path for the future of Jazz, which hopefully will open new horizons to the somewhat sleepy genre at the start of a new Millenium. A must!

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AVISHAI COHEN ~ DEVOTION STRETCH 9021 (Barcode: 013431902126) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 1999 Released: 1999 2nd album by Israeli bassist / composer Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist recorded while he was a member of Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist’s acoustic trio and the OriginFind albums by this artist sextet and released on Corea’s label StretchFind albums on this label Records. The core lineup, which participates in the album’s recording is a sextet with Cohen, Jimmy GreeneFind albums by this artist on sax and flute, Steve DavisFind albums by this artist on trombone, Jason LindnerFind albums by this artist on piano, another Israeli – Amos HoffmanFind albums by this artist on guitar and oud and Jeff BallardFind albums by this artist on drums. Cohen expands his usage of instruments here, adding electric bass, piano, synthesizer and percussion. Cohen’s ability as a bass player is of course legendary and needs no further discussion here, but his true greatness is his extraordinary ability to compose superb Jazz pieces, which skillfully combine the American Jazz tradition with other musical elements, mainly folklore and World Music. Cohen’s Middle Eastern background is clearly evident in his music, although he is also wide open to other sources of inspiration. Of the fourteen pieces on the album, Cohen composed twelve, adding to the repertoire just one folk tune and one composition by the pianist. The overall effect is truly refreshing and the combined skills of the musicians involved create an album of rare beauty, which contains an immense amount of new and exciting music. This is a truly remarkable follow up to the great debut, which announces many great things to come out of this extraordinary talent. A must!

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AVISHAI COHEN ~ FLOOD ANZIC 5102 (Barcode: 896434001153) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2006 Released: 2008 3rd album by Israeli (resident in US) trumpeter / composer Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist (not to be confused with the bass player of the same name), and the second release of a Jazz trilogy called "Big Rain". This time Cohen presents an intimate format of a trio, with pianist Yonathan AvishaiFind albums by this artist and drummer Daniel FreedmanFind albums by this artist. The format and the music are quite different on this release, minimalistic and insightful, yet clearly continuing the lyricism and ethnic influences of its predecessor. The music, all composed by Cohen, is all acoustic and the naked sound of the instruments presents an enormous challenge with no escape or margin for errors, a test all the musicians pass with flying colors. Cohen´s complete control of the trumpet´s tonality and vibrato are impressive. Avishai´s piano lines are always elegant and complement Cohen´s phrases tastefully and intelligently. Freedman is faced with the tough challenge of keeping the music together and provide the rhythmic glue, which again he performs gracefully and respectfully, keeping his contributions mostly in the background. In spite of the limitations imposed by the trio format, the album presents a full-scale musical experience, which is exactly right and completely fulfilling. Again this album is an excellent example of creative contemporary Jazz, combining Jazz tradition with ethnic influences, beautifully played and recorded. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 15/09/2024Posted:

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AVISHAI COHEN ~ FROM DARKNESS RAZDAZ 4616 (Barcode: 7290105166234) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015 After flirting with Pop vocals and other non-Jazz explorations Israeli bassist Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist is back to basics, presenting this album recorded in a classic Jazz piano trio setting with two young Israeli musicians: pianist Nitai HershkovitsFind albums by this artist and drummer Daniel DorFind albums by this artist (both of them were members of saxophonist Daniel ZamirFind albums by this artist´s group). The album presents eleven pieces, ten of which are original compositions by Cohen and one is a standard. Cohen´s ideas as a composer seem to have lost most of their freshness and element of surprise that characterized his early efforts. This time the melodic contents is rather simplistic and the obsession with odd meters is unnerving after four or five tunes but carries on till the very last tones of the album. There are some traces of the Middle Eastern tonality, but most of the time it is very difficult to characterize this music in any way. The album is saved by the wonderful performances by Hershkovits and Dor, who are the real stars here, outshining the leader by far. Of course Cohen is a fine bass player but on this album he sounds just like countless other mainstream bassists playing all over the world, professional but uninspired. As much as I admire Cohen for his pioneering work two decades ago, this album does not signal any new direction or progression and overall lacks focus. Of course it is still a very nice piece of music, which many listeners can enjoy, but musicians seeking the status of world leadership need to try harder. Better luck next time.

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AVISHAI COHEN ~ LYLA TAV 8 (Barcode: 7290105160003) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Israels`s most prominent Jazz musician Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist is a legend in the US Jazz circles and his bass work with Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist awarded him worldwide recognition as well. Cohen`s solo albums are meant to showcase not only his amazing technique as a bass (both acoustic and electric) player, but also as composer, arranger and bandleader. This 2003 album does the work on all fronts - the music, the performances, the amalgam of jazz and native Israeli traditional elements all come together to form a wonderful amalgam of rhythms and sounds of rare quality. An absolute must to every modern jazz fan!

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AVISHAI COHEN ~ UNITY STRETCH 9036 (Barcode: 013431903628) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2001 Released: 2001 4th album by Israeli bassist / composer Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist and almost a complete about face for him in many respects. Cohen abandons the acoustic bass (which brought him his glory), switching to piano and electric bass and joins four other excellent musicians to form what they call The International Vamp BandFind albums by this artist. The quintet also includes Avi LebovichFind albums by this artist on trombone, Yosvany TerryFind albums by this artist on saxes, Diego UrcolaFind albums by this artist on trumpet, Yagil BarasFind albums by this artist on acoustic bass and Antonio SanchezFind albums by this artist on drums. Together they play some of the most exciting and invigorating music I heard in a long time, skillfully mixing Jazz with ethnic influences, mostly those of Latin, Cuban and Mexican music, but also touching on others, like the obvious Cohen’s Middle Eastern roots. Cohen wrote all the music, except for one standard. The performances are brilliant throughout, with many great solos, including Cohen on electric bass a la Jaco Pastorius. This music is a great document of the true “unity” that music offers to all people, regardless of race, nationality or cultural background – when it is good, it sound good to everybody. It is uplifting to see Jazz musicians embracing and incorporating ethnic roots, creating new mixtures and expanding the somewhat stiff palette of traditional Jazz. Cohen is undoubtedly a Master of his trade and his musical adventures so far provide a superb opportunity for his listeners to step across boundaries and learn new sounds, rhythms and musical colors. A must!

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AVISHAI COHEN / YONATHAN AVISHAI ~ PLAYING THE ROOM ECM 2641 (Barcode: 602577522772) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019 This is an album by the duo of Israeli Jazz musicians: trumpeter Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist and pianist Yonathan AvishaiFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, two original compositions (one each by the duo members), one by Israeli composer Alexander ArgovFind albums by this artist, five Jazz standards and one Pop standard. The music was recorded by Stefano AmerioFind albums by this artist and offers the expected sublime sound quality. It is the 3rd album by Cohen released on the ECMFind albums on this label label. The music is set in a highly melodic, almost romantic mood, relaxed and minimalist, emphasizing the beauty of the compositions and the intimacy of the duo setting, all in the “Art of the Duo” tradition. Both musicians toy with the melodies and rhythmic patterns playfully and charmingly, displaying their complete mastery of their respective instruments, eschewing any flashy displays or unnecessary ornamentation. One might wonder how these interpretations might have been received by the original composers (John ColtraneFind albums by this artist or Ornette ColemanFind albums by this artist for example), but they would probably just smile, despite the liberties the duo applied to the music. There is no doubt that the ECM mood and aesthetics were closely observed. Overall, this is a very elegant and highly polished Jazz album, which offers a pleasant listening experience for a wide spectrum of Jazz listeners, but displays the tendency of ECM producer Manfred EicherFind albums by this artist to clutch all the music produced by the label into a uniform aesthetic and aural mould, which at some cases stifles the spirit of the music. Personally I prefer the earlier recordings by Cohen, which display more adventurous approach, but his trumpet work is here, as always, beyond reproach.

Updated: 15/09/2024Posted: 15/09/2024

CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend

YUVAL COHEN ~ FREEDOM ANZIC 3101 (Barcode: 6168928822303) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2006 Released: 2007 1st album by Israeli saxophonist / composer Yuval CohenFind albums by this artist, who with his two siblings Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist (trumpet) and Anat CohenFind albums by this artist (clarinet and saxophone) co-leads the Jazz group 3 CohensFind albums by this artist (The “other” Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist, who is a famous bass player, is their cousin BTW). Yuval is a very gifted and accomplished musician, with an impressive musical education and experience, but the “real” story behind this album is the tragedy he experienced, when he became paralyzed as a result of an illness. After years of surgery, excruciating pain and suffering, he finally recovered, after having to re-learn how use his body and how to make music – an incredible triumph of mind and willpower over the human body. Yuval writes in the liner notes: “I would like to dedicate this album to the heroes of life, those people with disabilities who wake up each morning to discover afresh the powers hidden in their bodies and spirits which enable them to get through the day”. Now to the music – Yuval composed nine of the ten tracks on this album and performs them with his quartet, where he plays the soprano saxophone and which includes Gilad HexelmanFind albums by this artist on guitar, Omer AvitalFind albums by this artist on bass and Daniel FriedmanFind albums by this artist on drums. Avishai on trumpet and Anat on clarinet guest on a few tracks. The music flows beautifully and is high spirited and very well performed. Yuval’s compositions are consistently excellent and the overall result should satisfy every lover of contemporary mainstream Jazz. Another proud addition to the growing Israeli Jazz legacy.

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CHICK COREA ~ COREA.CONCERTO SONY 61799 (Barcode: 5099706179924) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 1999 Released: 1999 What a fantastic and sadly overlooked album! Recorded in 1999 with his group OriginFind albums by this artist and the London Philharmonic OrchestraFind albums by this artist, this is Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist’s first “serious” flirt with classical music. Combining jazz and classical music is not new per se, but the results over the years varied between banal and brilliant. Fortunately this one belongs to the latter category. Corea proved over the years his amazing versatility in the jazz genre, composing and performing in every sub-genre between free jazz and fusion. This time he steps beyond the strict jazz field and shows that he can do it splendidly. The album includes two major works (each in three parts): his already “classic” composition Spain arranged for sextet and orchestra and the Concerto No. 1 for piano and Orchestra. The music is of course typical Corea, but the orchestral parts bring reminiscences of Gershwin’s classical works and works of the French Modernists. Of course the entire work is original and intricate enough to provide the listener with immense pleasures. The recording quality is superb, with each instrument heard distinctly and in full range. Special merit goes to Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist’s bass contributions. Most warmly recommended and essential for Corea’s fans!

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CHICK COREA / ORIGIN ~ LIVE AT THE BLUE NOTE STRETCH 9018 (Barcode: 013431901822) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1998 Released: 1998 Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist’s acoustic sextet OriginFind albums by this artist was formed in late 1997 by expanding his acoustic trio (Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist – bass and Adam CruzFind albums by this artist – drums) with the addition of trombonist Steve DavisFind albums by this artist and two reeds players Bob SheppardFind albums by this artist and Steve WilsonFind albums by this artist. After a brief period of rehearsals and one club performance the band was booked to play for six nights (two sets each night) at the NY Blue Note club, which was to be the band’s official premiere. All the music played at Blue Note was recorded, initially mainly for the sake of documentation, but upon listening to the results Corea decided to release this album, which presents just a taste of what happened there. A much more comprehensive recording project, capturing three entire nights (6 sets) was released as a 6 CDs set under the title “The Complete 1998 Live At The Blue Note RecordingsFind albums with this title”. Origin proved to be indeed an “origin”, a new beginning for Chick, who hasn’t led an acoustic sextet for over 20 years. It served as a perfect vehicle to develop and present a set of new compositions, which show an older and seasoned Jazz Master at work. The music is complex, somewhat dark, serious and multi-layered, requiring attentive listening. In many respects it often resembles some contemporary Classical Music influences. The players have plenty of space to develop both individual and collective extended improvisations, which of course are quite brilliant. Corea is not featured as the main soloist and steps back to become just one of the band’s members. All the music presented on this album, except for one standard, was composed by Corea, who re-examines his life’s achievements here, moving skillfully between his various musical activities, as diverse as Latin music and Free Jazz. All together this is a splendid example of modern Jazz at it’s best, with great music and excellent playing all the way. Corea’s fans don’t need any encouragement here and others should definitely investigate.

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JEAN CLAUDE JONES ~ RECOMP KADIMA COLLECTIVE 14 (Barcode: 634479745652) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 1997 - 2007 Released: 2008 Israeli bassist and Improvised Music pioneer Jean Claude JonesFind albums by this artist revisits eleven musical pieces recorded live and in studio over a period of ten years, performing, what he calls recomposition of the pieces. In his own words: “As opposed to mere editing, recomp involves the deconstruction, subtraction, rearrangement, and reconstruction of the material. It not only changes the sequencing, but it radically affects the feeling and the flow of the music. It also changes the texture of the weave, the voice of the team, and the original intention, revealing new connections, transitions, and possibilities”. The pieces are duos and trios played with other Israeli Improvised Music musicians like Harold RubinFind albums by this artist (clarinet), Steve HorensteinFind albums by this artist (flute, bass clarinet & saxophone), Daniel HoffmanFind albums by this artist (violin) and others. One duet with world-famous Israeli bass player Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist is also included. As usual, this is very difficult music, suitable for enthusiasts of the genre, but also an extremely rewarding intellectual experience. It’s good to see some people still treating music as Art and not a commercial commodity.

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KAREN MALKA ~ LADY OF THE FOREST TAV 8 (Barcode: 7290013088987) ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2009 - 2010 Released: 2010 This is the debut album by Israel singer / songwriter Karen MalkaFind albums by this artist, who has been active on the local scene since several years, most recently as a member of Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist´s AuroraFind albums by this artist quintet, recording two albums with that ensemble. Cohen produced this album and plays on it, contribution his exquisite bass parts and also wrote one of the songs, with the rest being all by Malka. Other participating musicians include pianist Shay MaestroFind albums by this artist, percussionist Itamar DuariFind albums by this artist and guitarist Guy ShohamFind albums by this artist. Veteran flautist Shem Tov LevyFind albums by this artist plays on one track. The music is a gentle, somewhat melancholic mixture of Folk influences, Jazz undertones and contemporary Art Rock, which is difficult to categorize, but works out well, producing a dreamy atmosphere. The instrumental accompaniment (including one instrumental track) is excellent, with the individual musicians being able to express themselves at their best. The production and sound quality are also excellent. Altogether this is a great album, which many music connoisseurs will surely enjoy, and which has new musical vistas every time one listens to it. Definitely worth investigating!

CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend

ALON OLEARTCHIK ~ OLEARTCHIK JAZZ NMC (ISRAEL) 20431 (Barcode: 7290005217425) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 1999 Released: 1999 This is a beautiful album by Israeli (born in Poland) singer / multi-instrumentalist / songwriter Alon OleartchikFind albums by this artist, best known as the bassist of the legendary KaveretFind albums by this artist, Israel´s most dominant Rock group in the 1970s. After Kaveret folded, Oleartchik studied music in the US and returned to Israel in the mid 1980 and has maintained a solo career since. Over the years he recorded a series of truly excellent albums, which deserve to be considered as some of the finest pieces of music created in Israel. This one, in particular, deserves a lot of praise as it is bold and unusual and shows his one true musical love: Jazz. This album includes mostly Jazz standards, with lyrics translated into Hebrew by Oleartchik, and finds him for the first time in his recording career in the role of purely a vocalist, heading an ensemble comprising of some of the best Israeli Jazz players at the time of the recording: trumpeter Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Eli DegibriFind albums by this artist, pianist Yonathan AvishaiFind albums by this artist, bassist Ofer ShneiderFind albums by this artist and drummer Shai ZelmanFind albums by this artist. One of the original songs by Oleartchik is also included as is one song by Degibri, which he also sings. The opening track is all scat / vocalese and has no lyrics. The music was recorded live at the Tel-Aviv Camelot club during a series of concerts that lasted for three nights. The best takes were selected for the album, and several alternate takes are included on the second (bonus) CD. The familiar standards have been transformed, no only due to the Hebrew lyrics, but also thanks to Oleartchik´s brilliant arrangements, phrasing and adaptation. This album is not just a singer and a Jazz band performing vocal standards; there are countless albums like that of varying quality. This one is truly different, as much as Oleartchik´s musical identity, which has no parallels. This is a wonderful amalgam of classic Jazz, which mostly originates in the US, with his Polish roots (probably subconscious) and his Israeli musical upbringing, which is also pretty unique, as most other aspects of Israeli culture. This is obviously a labor of love from start to finish and should be first and foremost accepted as such, revealing its true nature. There is so much beautiful music on this album, that I can´t imagine any music connoisseur to remain untouched by it. In some respects this album is conceptually similar to Gidi GovFind albums by this artist´s (ex-Kaveret lead singer) album "Moon DanceFind albums with this title", recorded three years later, which also presents Jazz (or Jazzy) standards with Hebrew lyrics and beautiful Jazz arrangements. Both these albums are among my favorite Israeli recordings and deserve to be discovered by audiences outside of Israel. The fact that both Oleartchik and Gov rejected the attempt to sing the standards in English is extremely important, as most non-English speaking vocalist repeatedly attempt to do so and more often than not fail miserably. Most warmly recommended!

Updated: 15/09/2024Posted:

CD 2 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

ZIV RAVITZ ~ IMAGES FROM HOME NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 884502258578) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2009 Released: 2009 This is the debut recording as a leader by Israeli drummer / composer Ziv RavitzFind albums by this artist, who is one of several Israeli Jazz musicians, which managed to earn respect and admiration on the worldwide scene and become a highly sought after studio figure. His superb ability to play in highly versatile settings as well as his unusual open-mindedness and virtuoso performances justify his reputation completely. His numerous recordings with some of the Jazz most well known names, both in Europe and the US, are all excellent examples of his great talent. His drumming is perhaps the best ever synthesis of the Jazz tradition and the Middle East rhythmic heritage. This wonderful album presents Ravitz in an intimate setting with just two musicians: pianist Omer KleinFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist. Of the eleven tracks on the album, ten are Ravitz original and one is an Israeli standard. A female vocalist (Mika HaryFind albums by this artist) guests on the last track. The music is excellent from start to finish, as are the performances. Strongly influenced by his Israeli musical heritage, as the title suggests, Ravitz unwinds his melodies emphasizing the rhythmic patterns, which are absolutely thrilling and fascinating. The music is very subtle, presented in duo or trio format, which enables the listener to hear every note and leaves no margin for error. In retrospect this is one of the best Israeli Jazz albums recorded in the first decade of the 21st Century, which sadly slipped unnoticed under the radar, but it is not to late to discover it now – and discovering it is highly recommended for any connoisseur of great Jazz. Most highly recommended!

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DANIEL ZAMIR ~ AMEN TAV 8 (Barcode: 7290010781539) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2006 Released: 2006 This is the 4th album by brilliant Israeli saxophonist / composer Daniel ZamirFind albums by this artist, one of most renowned Israeli Jazz musicians born in the country, who also managed to establish an international career. Zamir was born to a secular family, but during his stay in the US re-discovered Jewish religion and became an orthodox Jew. Zamir lived in the US since 2000 and returned to Israel in 2006, where he now lives, writes music, performs and records. During his stay in US he was "discovered" by John ZornFind albums by this artist and eventually recorded four (so far) albums for Zorn´s TzadikFind albums on this label label. This is his first album recorded and released in Israel. His music is a wonderful mixture of Klezmer, Jewish music, Eastern European and of course Jazz, which is completely unique. His technical fluency and unlimited expressionist powers place his among the world´s saxophone virtuosi. He now plays the soprano saxophone exclusively and his sound is often reminiscent of John ColtraneFind albums by this artist´s. This album includes music composed entirely written by him and he´s accompanied by some of the best Israeli Jazz players: Omri MorFind albums by this artist – piano, Omer AvitalFind albums by this artist – bass and Daniel FriedmanFind albums by this artist – drums. Israeli trumpeter Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist guests on several tracks. The album is a beautiful listening experience to every sensitive music lover, with everybody being able to discover the many different facets of this great music. Wholeheartedly recommended!

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend