Record Reviews

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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