Record Reviews

ALON NECHUSHTAN ~ VENTURE BOUND ENJA 9603 (Barcode: 063757960324) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2014 This is another wonderful album by Israeli (resident in US) pianist / composer Alon NechushtanFind albums by this artist, one of the leading contemporary Jewish Jazz musicians. It was recorded in a quartet setting with saxophonists Donny McCaslinFind albums by this artist and John EllisFind albums by this artist alternating between the tracks, bassist Chris LighcapFind albums by this artist and drummer Adam CruzFind albums by this artist. Three guest musicians participate on a few tracks. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Nechushtan. Each new album by Alon Nechushtan offers a fresh glimpse at his diverse and complex musical personality, which seems to be able to encompass a vast, cross-genre richness, which eventually becomes his very own. The most amazing quality of his is that he always sounds as if he already played this or that specific sub-genre for years, whereas in fact a comprehensive knowledge of his output so far reveals that he is probably one of the most chameleonic Jazz musicians around. But regardless of the specific musical environment Nechushtan selects as his weapon of choice at a specific moment, he is always honest, both with himself and the listener. The quality of players he selects as his partners, the wonderful technical qualities, the incredible melodic wealth and above all the ability to communicate with his fellow musicians and his public alike are a direct result of this honesty. Nechushtan´s music is always an amalgam of influences: first and foremost Jewish music in all forms and shapes, but also the endless varieties of the Jazz Art Form, which together create the new "Jewish Jazz" phenomenon, which is taking shape on the contemporary music scene all over the world, but mainly in the three focal places: America, Israel and Poland. These three scenes, although slightly different, are going in the same direction in many respects, and Nechushtan is definitely one of the Jewish Jazz most prominent pioneers. This album, although less obviously connected with the Jewish context and emphasizing the Jazz tradition and its contemporary state of affairs, is nevertheless an integral part of his continuous musical journey, which is always fascinating and heartwarming. Side Note The above are my liner notes included on this album's artwork. I am honored when asked by the Artists to write liner notes for their albums, always hoping that my words reflect the true spirit of the music. This is also a symbol of our mutual respect and friendship developed over the years. The same is also true when Record Labels ask me to write liner notes for their releases, mostly in the case of reissues of archival albums, which is a symbol of their appreciation of my knowledge and historical perspective and my recognition of their dedication to the preservation of the history of recorded music and the effort to keep human Culture and Aesthetics alive.

Updated: 19/09/2018Posted:

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