Record Reviews
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  | NITZAN EIN-HABAR ~ ONE NIGHT…
NOT ON LABEL ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2012 Released: 2012
This is an album by Israeli Jazz saxophonist / composer Nitzan Ein-HabarFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with pianist Elad HadarFind albums by this artist, bassist Guy LeviFind albums by this artist and drummer Eitan ItzcovichFind albums by this artist. Vocalist Tamar EisenmanFind albums by this artist guests on one track, singing the lyrics she wrote. The album presents eight tracks, all original compositions by Ein-Habar. Despite the fact that the recording was a “live in the studio” affair, the sound quality is absolutely perfect, with every nuance perfectly audible.
The music is beautifully lyrical, somewhat melancholic and full of great melodic themes, which are passionately performed by the quartet. Contrary to most Israeli Jazz recordings, this album avoids any Middle Eastern influences, neither harmonically nor rhythmically, and offers a purely European ambience, which makes the music completely universal.
Ein-Habar, who is a founding member of the legendary Israeli Jazz ensemble MinuetteFind albums by this artist, has been active on the local scene in many capacities, and is a respected member of the local community. Sadly, his recording legacy in the Jazz milieu is rather limited, which makes this album especially important as a great document of his great talent as an instrumentalist and composer.
Overall, this is a brilliant album, one of the best Israeli Jazz albums ever, which deserves much wider audiences than the tiny local Israeli scene, so if you can find a copy, grab it or try to find the music on the web. I assure you it is as good as some of the best music out there, just heart melting!
| | Updated: 05/02/2026Posted: 04/02/2026 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ARI EREV ~ A HANDFUL OF CHANGES
NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 885767262577) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2011 Released: 2012
Almost four years after his sensational debut album, Israeli pianist / composer Ari ErevFind albums by this artist returns with his second album as a leader. As the title suggests, it´s all about changes, and therefore this outing is very different from the previous one in every respect. Whereas the debut was a classic piano trio album, with subtle, delicate and often introvert musical love-making, this one is joyous and energetic, recorded mostly in a quintet setting. Of the eleven compositions included herein, seven are Ari´s originals, two are by the great Israeli composer Alexander ArgovFind albums by this artist and the remaining two are standards.
The quintet, which recorded most of the music, consists of prominent American (NY) tenor and soprano saxophonist Joel FrahmFind albums by this artist, Ari on piano, bass guitarist Arie VolinezFind albums by this artist, drummer Eitan ItzcovichFind albums by this artist and percussionist Gilad DobreckyFind albums by this artist. Bassist Tal RonenFind albums by this artist plays double bass on three tracks and reeds player Ofer ShapiroFind albums by this artist plays alto saxophone on one track and clarinet on another. The overall level of performance is absolutely spotless from start to finish, presenting sophisticated and intelligent mainstream Jazz, which is as good as anything recorded in America or Europe in the same category.
Volinez and Itzcovich are a formidable rhythm section, with decades of playing together behind them; Shapiro delivers a wonderfully heartfelt clarinet work; Dobrecky ornaments the music with his rhythmic inventions, adding a slightly exotic tinge; Frahm plays beautifully and skillfully; but of course it´s Ari´s piano work that shines brightly and is exceptionally lovely throughout. His touch and intimate feel for the melody is absolutely gorgeous and as much as I try to forget it, it keeps reminding me of Bill EvansFind albums by this artist´ playing.
My personal favorite track on this album is the wonderful piano / sax duet, which in its intimacy and nakedness presents the beauty of the music at its fullest. But of course the entire album is a feast from start to finish. I can only thank Ari and his cohorts for bestowing upon us all such wonderful music. It proves that the Israeli Jazz scene, regardless of the fact if it happens here or in the middle of NY, reached a maturity and professionalism I dreamt about since decades. Hats off Ari and may the (Jazz) Force be with you!
| | Updated: 04/02/2026Posted: | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | YONI RECHTER ~ ORIGINAL ALBUMS
HED ARZI 7294276650363 (Barcode: 7294276650363) ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1979 - 2002 Released: 2013
This is a Box Set collection of four original albums by Israeli composer / keyboardist / singer Yoni RechterFind albums by this artist, the most important figure on the popular music scene in the country. The albums are: "Legend In The SandsFind albums with this title" released in 1980 (and released here on CD for the first time), "Round About NowFind albums with this title" released in 1992, "Thoughts And PossibilitiesFind albums with this title" (with Eli MoharFind albums by this artist) released in 1995 and "Another StoryFind albums with this title" released in 2002. The fact that all these albums are not available on the market since quite a while is a travesty and this is a most welcome gesture to make them available again at a very reasonable price.
"Legend In The Sands" is a ballet suite composed by Rechter for the Israeli Inbal Ballet Company. It is mostly instrumental, but includes also a few songs. The album was recorded at the same period when Rechter was recording his debut album "Intentions" and was released almost simultaneously with the debut, gaining no attention whatsoever at the time and disappearing in the deletion bins soon after. The music is an early example of Rechter´s ability to compose stylistically diverse music for different settings, beyond the Pop market.
"Round About Now" is an instrumental album (with one exception), which presents eight original compositions by Rechter performed by a wonderful ensemble comprising of the top Israeli Jazz players at the time: saxophonist Guri AgmnonFind albums by this artist, flautist Ilan SalemFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Adi RennertFind albums by this artist, bassist Alon NadelFind albums by this artist and drummers Israel NachumFind albums by this artist, Eitan ItzcovichFind albums by this artist and Yuval ShafrirFind albums by this artist. This is Rechter´s most Jazzy album ever and an absolute gem. For this reissue it was expanded with three bonus tracks recorded live in 2008 of similar instrumental material.
"Thoughts And Possibilities" and "Another Story" are reviewed separately on my site.
Overall this is a goldmine of absolutely brilliant music, which is an excellent example of what intelligent contemporary music should be like. Rechter´s role as a leader and pioneer of the Israeli music scene is invaluable and he deserves out deep appreciation and praise for his extraordinary achievements. Hopefully we´ll have the pleasure to enjoy many more of his works in the future.
| | Updated: 04/02/2026Posted: | CD 4 Digisleeve Box Set Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
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