Record Reviews

ASSAF KEHATI ~ FLOWERS AND OTHER STORIES NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 884501471824) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 Released: 2011 This is the 2nd album by Israeli (currently resident in the US) Jazz guitarist / composer Assaf KehatiFind albums by this artist. Following his studies at the Rimon School of Jazz and Contemporary Music in Israel Assaf received a scholarship and continued his studies at the New England Conservatory in Boston, where he was immediately noticed for his talents as a player. In time he performed with many distinguished Jazz players and later founded his own quartet with saxophonist Alon FarberFind albums by this artist, bassist Daniel SapirFind albums by this artist and drummer Udi ShlomoFind albums by this artist, all three being also Israeli Jazz musicians. The album contains seven original compositions, which are all beautifully crafted. In fact it seems that his strength as a composer is as significant as his performing skills, a phenomenon which characterizes most young Israel Jazz players, who are part of a quite noticeable tribe occupying a respected position on the contemporary US scene, of which Assaf is now a proud member. The music is wonderfully versatile, with changing moods and tempi, but always highly melodic. Assaf plays some sweet licks and overall his approach to Jazz guitar is well based in tradition and at the same time very modern. He manages to stay away from the dreaded Fusion doodling, which is the plague of many contemporary players. All three members of his quartet give him full and sympathetic support and Alon´s solos are all excellent examples of intelligent and passionate modern Jazz. The rhythm section supports the two soloists formidably, and above all not intrusively, always there when needed most. Overall this is album is a real delight from start to finish, and should be able to defend itself even from the sternest critics. We can only hope for many more albums by Assaf in the future, assuming they will be all as good as this one. Congratulations are in order!

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend