Record Reviews

TAL GUR ~ AIR PORTRAIT NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 7290012058035) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2007 Released: 2007 1st album by Israeli saxophonist Tal GurFind albums by this artist with his quartet, which includes guitarist Ido BukelmanFind albums by this artist, bassist Ehud EttunFind albums by this artist and drummer Ariel ArmoniFind albums by this artist. Gur also composed all the music recorded on the album. The quartet performs excellently, considering the relatively tender age of the participants and the compositions are interesting and well developed. Buckelman is doing an excellent job by constructing layers of harmonics behind the leader, using electronic effects on his guitar, but avoiding any Fusion excursions. This is all straight-ahead contemporary Jazz, well executed and inspiring, although very much inside the established plateau and with no intentions to revolutionize anything. It is interesting to note that Gur plays the “straight” alto saxophone, an unusual version of the alto, which looks like the soprano. The instrument does have a unique sound, which adds to the album’s originality. Altogether an excellent debut and another promise for the future of Israeli Jazz, which is enjoying quite a renaissance since the turn of the Century. Definitely worth investigating!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

ASSAF KEHATI ~ NAKED NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 888295121361) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2014 This is the third album by Israeli, resident in the USA, guitarist / composer Assaf KehatiFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio format with two Israeli players: bassist Ehud EttunFind albums by this artist and drummer Ronen ItzikFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, six of which are original compositions by Kehati and the remaining three are standards, arranged by him. Musically the album is kept well within the Jazz guitar tradition, sounding similar to the works of Masters like Jim HallFind albums by this artist and Joe PassFind albums by this artist, but of course quite original and personal. Kehati emphasizes not only his playing but also, and perhaps primarily, his compositional skills. His lyrical and beautifully melodic compositions are the heart and soul of this album. Overall this album is a very intimate affair, mostly quiet and slowly developing, full of wonderful guitar work, superbly supported by the rhythm section. Some Middle Eastern motifs can be heard as part of the melodic contents, but the music is not strongly influenced by World Music as such, staying within the mainstream Jazz milieu. It is quite difficult to find young guitar players these days, which are not immediately drawn into the abused Fusion and follow the great Jazz guitar tradition. Kehati is one of the few exceptions and he deserves to be encouraged and appreciated for doing just that. Of course his playing and music writing abilities are also great assets. Jazz guitar enthusiasts will find this album a must, but also every Jazz loving listener should be able to enjoy this eloquent and elegant music repeatedly. Well done!

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend