Record Reviews

COMMON BOND ~ RHYTHM OF LIFE NOT ON LABEL ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2006 Released: 2006 1st album by Israeli ensemble Common BondFind albums by this artist, founded and led by guitarist and composer Kobi ShefiFind albums by this artist. Although founded at the end of the 1990s, the nine-piece band took a long time to mature and develop. They recorded a demo album a few years back, but this is their formal debut release, and as it turns out it was worth waiting for. In many respects this is one of the finest albums ever recorded in this country and it encapsulates the capabilities of the phenomenal new generation of Israeli musicians. Kobi, who wrote most of the music and the spectacular arrangements on this album, is a seasoned player with solid Jazz background (he was a member of Harold RubinFind albums by this artist’s group ParparFind albums by this artist). Drummer Roni ZadikFind albums by this artist, who is another veteran musician, keeps the music incredibly tight, regardless of the complex rhythmic patterns. All the other players are slightly younger (late 20s / early 30s) with extensive musical education and performing experience. The surprise of the album is the 19 years old vocalist Marina MaximilianFind albums by this artist (Blumin), born in Ukraine and immigrated to Israel as a child. She is undoubtedly the most original and spectacular Israeli vocalist since Rimona FrancisFind albums by this artist 40 years ago. Her extraordinary technique, range and self-confidence could all be easily mistaken as belonging to a 40 years old veteran superstar. The band creates an incredible big sound, with intricate brass arrangements and jazzy solos, but the music combines (as the band’s name suggests) the best of Jazz, Fusion, Funk and World Music elements into an amalgam of rare beauty and spectacular effect. Think Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist, Tower Of PowerFind albums by this artist and SantanaFind albums by this artist with a dash of Middle Eastern and Balkan melancholy, fronted by a diva. Absolutely stunning! Since the album was released, Common Bond performed extensively in many countries with enormous success and they are surely destined to go far. Unfortunately Marina left to follow her solo career (after capturing the entire Israeli public through her participation in a TV talent-discovery show), and was replaced by another very talented singer Anat Ben HamoFind albums by this artist. If you wish to explore the wonderful world of new Israeli music – this is the album to start with. You are in for a treat of your (musical) life.

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MARCIN PENDOWSKI ~ GUMOLIT JUDASZ 2020/01 ~ POLAND ~ Brass Rock Recorded: 2017 - 2020 Released: 2020 This is the second album by Polish Jazz bassist / composer Marcin PendowskiFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. PendofskyFind albums by this artist), one of Poland’s best kept secrets. Recorded over four years with no less than twenty musicians / friends / guests, the album presents eleven tracks, all original compositions, two of which are bonus tracks. Pendowski is a sensational bass player, who is mostly known for his session work and jamming in Warsaw Jazz clubs. His debut album “PendofskyFind albums with this title” from 2014 arrived and disappeared from the scene almost completely unnoticed, despite the fact that it remains a Funk / Groove classic to this very day. If Pendowski would have appeared on the NYC scene, he could probably reach fame and glory (See Jaco PastoriusFind albums by this artist), as his technically brilliant and imaginative bass playing and Big Balls feeling for Fusion / Groove / Soul / Funk is simply unparalleled and absolutely world class. This album offers a somewhat different approach, as Pendowski added the Brass Rock magic to his instrumentation, expanding the sound beyond imagination. Sounding like the best days of Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist, ChicagoFind albums by this artist and Tower Of PowerFind albums by this artist combined, but based all around the virtuosic bass parts, this music is absolutely irresistible. Pendowski also has a great talent to write incredibly catchy riffs, like only very few other can, and if one is able to listen to this album and remain sitting, one is probably deaf or brain-dead. This music Rocks, from the first note to the last! Hopefully this album will be finally discovered, although it might again prove to be simply too good for its own good and remain undiscovered again, which would be a crying shame. Thank you Marcin for this music, you are a genius and I hope we won’t have to wait for another six years for the next album. Next time I am in Warsaw; the drinks are on me of course. Warsaw / Poland / the World / wake up, Pendofsky is in town!

Updated: 21/05/2021Posted: 21/05/2021

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