Record Reviews
18 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.
  | HAROLD RUBIN / BARRE PHILLIPS / TATSUYA NAKATANI ~ 3 ON A THIN LINE
HOPSCOTCH 25 ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2009 Released: 2012
This completely Improvised Music, created by clarinetist Harold RubinFind albums by this artist, bassist Barre PhillipsFind albums by this artist and percussionist Tatsuya NakataniFind albums by this artist was recorded live at the Levontin 7 club in Tel Aviv, known since many years as the meeting place of Israeli Avant-Garde. These three masters of Improvised Music played a continuous set, which was later divided into six separate tracks for the sake of the album, but the music is not credited to any particular performer and therefore remains a spontaneous creation of the three collaborators.
Harold Rubin, Israel´s most creative and extraordinary musician, is a true magician, creating a completely unique world of sound with his clarinet. This recording is a document of that magic, which Rubin is able to create in spite of his relatively advanced age, and contrary to the anticipated trend, his playing simply gets better all the time. As someone, who has been lucky to be able to follow his astounding development for now almost three decades, I am constantly surprised every time I hear him playing live or listening to his recordings. He is simply a Force Of Nature, with almost no parallel scale on this planet. The happiness of knowing such a Genius personally and working with him is almost always accompanied by a sadness and disappointment from the fact that his Art is known to just a miniscule group of music lovers.
Accompanied by veteran improvises of international reputation and admiration Rubin is able to stretch out and display his entire arsenal of abilities and sensitivities, which is, as always simply stunning. This music flows freely like a wind over fields of flowers, twisting and turning constantly and taking the listener places he never visited previously "upon the wings of music". Of course words can hardly even touch the lofty feelings and emotions involved with the experience and listening is the only true alternative.
Everybody familiar with Rubin´s music will of course love this album instantly. To others it might serve as an introduction, although more accessible (to general public) material by him is available, some of it on my JazzisFind albums on this label label. This particular album comes also with cover art created by Rubin, which of course is a beautiful bonus. In short, this is a portrait of a multi-talented Renaissance Man at work. A must!
| | Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | HUMAN FACTORY ~ THE HUMAN FACTORY
JAZZ972 001 (Barcode: 7293372462795) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2006 Released: 2006
Human FactoryFind albums by this artist is an Israeli jazz quintet led by one of the veterans of the local scene – Amikam KimelmanFind albums by this artist. Kimelman has a long and distinguished record behind him. He belongs to the first generation of Israeli-born jazz musicians and began to practice his Art when jazz was a true underground scene. He was one of the founders and principal teachers of the Rimon School of Jazz and Contemporary Music, the fist such institution to undertake the jazz education of the Israeli youngsters. In time Rimon’s graduates became the foundation of the local music scene and many of them achieved international fame and success.
Kimelman recorded several albums and led numerous ensembles, The Human Factory being the latest one. The release of the group’s album also marks the birth of a new record label, called Jazz972Find albums on this label, dedicated to the documentation of the flourishing local jazz scene (same as JazzisFind albums on this label Records 20 years earlier). The Human Factory is quite an unusual quintet, as the instruments include sax, trombone, guitar, bass and drums (reminiscent of some of the splendid Bob BrookmeyerFind albums by this artist’s groups). The guitarist is Aharoni BenariFind albums by this artist – past member of Israel’s excellent Jazz-Rock-Funk-Latin group AtrafFind albums by this artist – here playing mainstream jazz for the first time. The other musicians are: Idan WalishFind albums by this artist – trombone, Dima GrotskyFind albums by this artist – bass and Shai ZelmanFind albums by this artist – drums, all very talented and experienced players.
Kimelman composed five of the seven compositions included on the album, Benari brings one of his own and the last tune is based on an Israeli folk melody. The album is a splendid example of how the Israeli jazz scene grew up in the last couple of decades from infancy to maturity. It can easily stand up to any jazz album recorded anywhere else in Europe or US. Recommended to all fans of Israeli jazz and modern jazz lovers all over the world.
| | Updated: 06/03/2025Posted: | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | ROBERTO MAGRIS ~ LOVE IS PASSING THRU
JMOOD 023 (Barcode: 741718929039) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2005 Released: 2024
This is an album by Italian Jazz pianist / composer / bandleader and my Friend Roberto MagrisFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with Italian Jazz musicians: saxophonist Ettore MartinFind albums by this artist, bassist Danilo GalloFind albums by this artist and drummer Enzo CarpenteriFind albums by this artist. The album presents thirteen tracks, which offer solo, duo, trio and quartet recordings. Two of the tracks are original compositions by Magris, nine are standards and two are renditions of Italian Pop songs. The album was recorded in 2005 and was originally intended for release on the legendary Italian Black Saint / Soul Note labels, but the labels were sold and the album remained unreleased. The current passing of Carpenteri prompted Magris to finally release the album on his home label, the American JMoodFind albums on this label Records. The sound quality of the recording is remarkable.
The general theme of the album is love, and the compositions are all somehow connected to that theme, but the music offers a diverse stylistic range, from melodic mainstream to Free Jazz. Despite that stylistic variety, the music offers perfectly coherent continuity, proving that the Jazz spirit is completely independent of the specifics and can’t be limited to one aesthetic approach.
Magris and his cohorts are all seasoned musicians with wide experience and more importantly the special Italian “thing”, which surfaces in almost every Italian Jazz album, a sublime melodic approach, which goes back hundreds of years in Italian music tradition. As a result, many of the tracks on this album offer a heartwrenching melancholy, which is only to be expected.
Overall, this is a wonderful piece of music, which offers a nice collection of familiar tunes in new interpretations as well as some unusual music, altogether an excellent listening experience and first class musicianship. Good to have this material out at last, as it certainly is worth being listened to. Well done my Friend!
Side Note:
Magris recorded an album for my JazzisFind albums on this label Records label in 1990 with his quartet, expanded to a sextet by two Israeli musicians, called “Life In IsraelFind albums with this title”, and we have been in touch ever since.
| | Updated: 24/04/2024Posted: 24/04/2024 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | HAROLD RUBIN / JEAN CLAUDE JONES ~ MUSE & MUSIC
KADIMA COLLECTIVE 03 ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2004 Released: 2005
This album documents the musical / spiritual meeting between the two leaders of the Israeli improvised music scene. Harold RubinFind albums by this artist started the movement on the late 1980’s, after his legendary group ZaviotFind albums by this artist disbanded, leading a long series of ensembles active in the Tel-Aviv area, where he lives. Jean Claude JonesFind albums by this artist (or J.C. to his friends) arrived on the scene at about the same time, playing with another legendary group KedmaFind albums by this artist (both Zaviot and Kedma released their albums on JazzisFind albums on this label Records). Later on Jones played with many different ensembles in the Jerusalem area, where he lives, and founded the Kadima CollectiveFind albums on this label – an association of improvising artists (cross-genre), which now independently releases various projects on record. Their path crossed many times over the years but they somehow failed to record together and this much overdue album puts things right at last. The intimate duo of clarinet and electro acoustic bass is the foundation of the music, with Harold reciting / voicing his poetry on top and Jones adding live electronics occasionally, all of those based on musical telepathy and interplay between the creators. This is intense stuff, requiring total attentiveness and open-mindedness, but for people who are willing to stretch out their intellectual muscles the rewards are infinite. Sadly, there is very little music of such quality being made anywhere in the wold these days.
| | | CD-R 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ASAF SIRKIS ~ SOLAR FLASH
MOONJUNE 117 (Barcode: 692287911720) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 2018 Released: 2021
This is an album by Israeli drummer / composer Asaf SirkisFind albums by this artist recorded with a great trio including also British keyboardist (and a drummer himself) Maestro Gary HusbandFind albums by this artist and bassist Kevin GlasgowFind albums by this artist. Polish vocalist Sylwia BialasFind albums by this artist guests on three tracks as does British guitarist Mark WingfieldFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Sirkis.
I have had the pleasure of knowing Sirkis since his first steps as a musician and his first recordings were on my JazzisFind albums on this label label in the early 1990s and I enjoyed his success as one of the busiest drummers on the European Jazz scene over time. His impressive recorded legacy, both as a leader and sideman, recently mostly associated with the MoonJuneFind albums on this label label, is the best testimony of his great talent.
The music on this album is probably his finest achievement as a composer so far. Most of the compositions are deeply lyrical and melancholic, resembling the music that characterizes Polish Jazz, and his examination of his Polish roots (that we both share) in the three-part “Polish Suite” present on this album, is definitely a deeply moving experience, with his wife’s vocalese emphasizing the East European influence.
The instrumental performances are of course stellar, with Husband’s great sensitivity and Wingfield’s virtuosity combined into an irresistible flow of melodic magic. Sirkis keeps his drumming parts to a minimum, as highly appropriate for this deeply emotional music, which is a sign of his great taste and modesty.
Overall, this is a monster album, full of great music and hair-raising performances by some of the best musicians around, which should keep all true music lovers around the globe perfectly happy. Although rooted in the Jazz-Rock Fusion idiom, it is so diverse and open-minded, that straightforward labeling does not apply to it at all. Hats off, my friend!
| | Updated: 16/09/2021Posted: 16/09/2021 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | GRAHAM COLLIER ~ DOWN ANOTHER ROAD @ STOCKHOLM JAZZ DAYS `69
MY ONLY DESIRE 005 (Barcode: 5052442022411) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1969 Released: 2023
This is an archival live album by British Jazz bassist / composer / bandleader / educator Graham CollierFind albums by this artist, recorded by the Swedish Radio on August 24, 1969, which presents Collier’s sextet with trumpeter Harry BecketFind albums by this artist, trombonist Nick EvansFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, pianist / oboist Karl JenkinsFind albums by this artist and drummer John MarshallFind albums by this artist. The album presents six original compositions, five by Collier and one by Jenkins, five of which appear on the album “Down Another RoadFind albums with this title”, released a few months earlier. The remaining composition (“Burblings For Bob”) makes here its only appearance on record. The album includes informative liner notes by Collier’s biographer Duncan HeiningFind albums by this artist.
Although this was only the second album by Collier, his stylistic direction was already firmly set and represented the new British Jazz, which developed quite independently form the American Jazz tradition. Collier was one of the pioneers of the new direction, which embraced ensemble approach, Free Improvisation in parallel to clearly defined melodic themes, advanced polyrhythmic drumming and some World Music influences. This live recording is quite different in many aspects from the studio recording, and as such is of course invaluable. And of course hearing Graham’s voice introducing the tunes touches many personal memories.
The sound quality is excellent and the cooperation between Jon GriffithsFind albums by this artist, My Only DesireFind albums on this label label owner, and the Swedish Radio, is a blessing and offers the British Jazz fans already the third album of previously unheard material, which is absolutely fabulous. Hopefully more such releases will follow suit.
A small personal note: one of the tracks present here, called “Aberdeen Angus”, is also present on the Graham Collier’s album “Adam`s MarbleFind albums with this title”, which I released on my JazzisFind albums on this label Records label in 1995, and which is completely different from the version presented here.
Overall, this is a superb historical document of the British Jazz scene and an excellent example of some of the most brilliant music created in Britain by the end of the 1960s, which was a true age of discovery and explosive development. Absolutely essential to all British Jazz enthusiasts and record collectors.
| | Updated: 10/03/2023Posted: 10/03/2023 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | SHLOMI GOLDENBERG ~ JAZZ ECLECTICO
NOT ON LABEL ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 2007 Released: 2008
Israeli saxophonist / composer Shlomi GoldenbergFind albums by this artist is one of the most active musicians on the local scene. Shlomi released his debut recording on my JazzisFind albums on this label label almost 20 years ago, and he´s been recording and releasing albums ever since. This album presents him as a leader of his Little Big Band, an ensemble he´s been leading over the years, which often changes its lineup. Here the players include other Israeli veterans alongside younger performers, and include vibraphonist Rami ShulerFind albums by this artist, flautist / keyboardist Rostik LermanFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Hod MoshonovFind albums by this artist, bassist Ran LeviFind albums by this artist and drummer Doron RephaeliFind albums by this artist. Guitarist Zahi FriedmanFind albums by this artist guests on one tune. The music, written entirely by Shlomi, is a set of modern Jazz compositions, often bordering on Fusion and using Afro-Cuban / Salsa rhythmic patterns. More electric and vigorous that most of the material Shlomi recorded in the past, this is nevertheless a most enjoyable album with many excellent solos and an overall high spirited atmosphere. Shlomi proves again his versatility and talent as a player and a composer, firmly establishing his reputation as one of the leaders of the Israeli Jazz scene.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | HAROLD RUBIN ~ BLUE BAG
NOT ON LABEL ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1996 Released: 1997
Harold RubinFind albums by this artist is one of the very few true Renaissance men I’ve had the pleasure to meet and befriend over the years. An architect, a poet, a painter and an outstanding musician, but also a wonderful human being, who hates bullshit of any form and shape. This, often bold, honesty is present in every creative process Harold is involved with, and what makes his music so wonderfully different and outstanding. Blue Bag is a musical suite, a complete work of art, rather than a collection of separate and unrelated pieces of music. It is probably Harold’s most “accessible” album. It involves a larger group of musicians (as opposed to his regular trio / quartet setting) and for the first time also features vocals. Stylistically it involves, in addition to the obvious jazz contents, some rock elements (for the first time since Harold played with ZaviotFind albums by this artist), some theatrical aura and a much clearer melody lines. The entire album brings fond memories of Brecht’s operas and works by musicians like Gunter HampelFind albums by this artist and his wife Jeanne LeeFind albums by this artist or Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist and Kate WestbrookFind albums by this artist. It also prominently features for the first time Harold’s poetry, which constitutes the libretto for the entire suite. The musicians playing with Harold include Mark SmulianFind albums by this artist, his partner in Zaviot, who proves he can play the guitar as skillfully as he can handle the bass, Smulian’s wife the wonderful singer Gani TamirFind albums by this artist, Israel’s best drummer Asaf SirkisFind albums by this artist (who plays on many albums released on my JazzisFind albums on this label label), extremely talented trombonists Reut RegevFind albums by this artist and Rafi MalkielFind albums by this artist, and bassist Amit CarmeliFind albums by this artist. Harold contributes his unique brand of clarinet virtuosity and occasionally recites / narrates his fantastic poetry with the music playing in the background (reminiscent of the wonderful “Jazz & Poetry” movement of the 1960’s). If I could, I’d make every person on this planer to listen to this Magnum Opus, but obviously I can’t do that. Hopefully some of you will read this and subsequently discover some of the best music ever recorded on this planet.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | HAROLD RUBIN ~ IVORY TOWER
NOT ON LABEL ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2001 Released: 2001
Harold RubinFind albums by this artist not only single-handedly created the improvised music scene in Israel since the early 1990’s, but was also the spiritual father of an entire generation of young Israeli players, who were receptive and open-minded enough to embrace this musical form. Many of the players, who started their way in various trios / quartets led by Harold, became leaders and first-rate musicians in their own right, often returning to play with their mentor years later. This album is an example of such a case, as it brings Harold together with a former member of his group ParparFind albums by this artist (Butterfly in Hebrew), pianist Daniel SaridFind albums by this artist. Sarid took part in the recording of the wonderful meeting between Harold and the Polish saxophonist Leszek ZadloFind albums by this artist (released on JazzisFind albums on this label Records) a decade earlier and this album puts them side by side in the studio again. Of course Daniel refined and advanced his music immensely over the years and this meeting places him alongside Harold not as a student / disciple, but as an equal partner in the creative process. About a year before these sessions were recorded, Daniel recorded an excellent duo / trio album with his partner Hagai FershtmanFind albums by this artist (see their album on EarsayFind albums on this label Records), so it was only natural to have Hagai as the drummer. Young bass player Adam SheflanFind albums by this artist completed the quartet. The music is of course outstanding, as one might expect. Although written by Harold, other quartet members contributed a lot of creative input. There is plenty of wonderful solos and the quartet swings beautifully, even though the music is mostly free spirited and improvised. Harold recites some of his poems (with music in the background), something that has become an integral part of his unique Jazz act. This is a superb album in every respect and my only hope is that as many people can access this heavenly music as humanly possible.
| | | CD-R 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ THE BOOK OF JOB
NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1985 Released: 2007
The tale of "The Book Of JobFind albums with this title" project originates in 1981, when a group of Polish jazz musicians, actors and other intellectuals decided to stage a production based on one of the most dramatic biblical stories – the story of the sufferings God decided to put on Job to test his faith. To understand the context, one has to remember that at that time Poland was being torn apart by political and social upheaval, led by the Solidarnosc movement, in protest against the socialist regime. The political struggle included many strikes and demonstrations, some of which led to violent clashes with the police and people being shot or beaten to death. The biblical story of Job’s suffering seemed to many Poles as an allegory reflecting their situation.
The project involved a musical suite written especially for the project and performed by top Polish jazz musicians, with fragments of text from the Book of Job being recited by actors. The premiere performance was presented during the 1981 Jazz Jamboree Festival in Warsaw, with further performances scheduled all over Poland. However, on December 13, 1981 the Martial Law was announced in Poland as a last resort to save the regime from crumbling and all art activities were put on hold, with tanks occupying the streets of Warsaw. It seemed that the project was dead after just one performance. The Martial Law was finally lifted in 1983 and it was only a question of time when the Soviet Block was about to disintegrate, but the socialist government stayed in power till the end of the decade.
In 1985 I received a call from some musician friends in Warsaw, inviting me to come over and co-produce a recording of "The Book Of Job" as well as take part in the expanded multi-lingual version of the project, by reciting the text in Hebrew (in addition to Polish, German and English). As much as I understood the Polish background and circumstances surrounding the project, my interior motives to take part in the project were quite different. I always considered the Book of Job as the closest biblical allegory to the fate of the Jewish People with the Holocaust symbolizing Job’s sufferings and the birth of the State of Israel as the outcome. Therefore realizing this project in Poland, where most of the Holocaust took place seemed more that appropriate to me.
I was very excited by the prospect, but the possibility to actually undertake the venture seemed utterly impossible. I left Poland in 1967 and never visited the country since. My Polish citizenship was taken away when I left Poland, and at the time (1985) Poland and Israel had no diplomatic relationships. Poland and all other Socialist countries severed they diplomatic ties with Israel following the 1967 Six Days War, which meant there was no Polish Embassy in Israel, where I could get a Polish visa. In general no Polish visas were issued to Israeli citizens, especially those of Polish origin.
My Polish friends started to thread the winding path of Polish bureaucracy and for some strange and completely incomprehensive reasons the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided to grant me a visa for a few days, which I had to collect in Germany, something that was completely unheard off at the time. Finally in the bitterly cold late autumn (October) of 1985 I made the trip to Warsaw via Frankfurt and stepped on Polish soil for the first time in 18 years. I still remember the face of the Polish border police officer when I presented my Israeli passport at the Warsaw airport. I was of course a total nerve wreck, considering the fact that Poland was still very much a police state at that time, and constantly imagined that I could get arrested under any pretext at any given moment. For a few days I never stopped looking around trying to figure out if I’m being followed. Eventually the nervousness disappeared, mostly due to the warm reception I received from my friends, old and new alike.
I flew to Krakow, where the production team and the musicians and actors assembled and we started rehearsing and then recording the music and the recitations. The recordings were done in a well-equipped studio, which was located behind the stage of the Teatr Stu. Everything went pretty smoothly and I stayed on for a couple of days to mix the tapes for the final master. After the production was over I went for a few days to visit Silesia, the southern, coal-mining part of Poland were I was born, and later on returned to Warsaw.
I couldn’t take the master tapes with me, as these would surely be confiscated as illegal political unauthorized contraband, but I was promised they would be sent to me, as I planned to release them on my own JazzisFind albums on this label label, which I planned to start soon after. The producers also promised to release the album in Poland. A few days later I was back home in Israel and although I visited Poland many times later, I never heard about the project again. I lost contact with my Polish co-producers and although the tapes did land in my lap many years later, I left them untouched.
Imagine my surprise when upon my recent visit to Poland a friend told me that the album was finally released just a few days before I arrived and even some reviews appeared in Polish papers (mentioning me) on the day I arrived. I was flabbergasted, angry for about 10 seconds (for not being consulted about this) and of course ecstatically happy to see this baby finally being born, after a 22 years long pregnancy. Especially so when I saw that the album was beautifully packaged in book format with splendid historical photographs (mine included, looking much younger of course).
So much about the background of this album, and as to the contents, listening to it for the first time in so many years I must admit I’m more than proud to be associated with its creation. The music, performed by a wonderful septet of Polish jazz musicians, including Krzysztof ZgrajaFind albums by this artist – flute and piano, Andrzej PrzybielskiFind albums by this artist – trumpet, Zbigniew WegehauptFind albums by this artist – bass, Janusz TrzcinskiFind albums by this artist – drums, Mieczyslaw LitwinskiFind albums by this artist – sitar, Milo KurtisFind albums by this artist – percussion, Jew’s harp and trombita and Andrzej MitanFind albums by this artist – vocals, resembles in spirit the Miles DavisFind albums by this artist’ Bitches BrewFind albums with this title sessions, with plenty of space for solos performed over spacey / funky rhythmic patterns. The recitations are used as overlays, switching between the various languages, creating a dramatic collage effect over the music. Quite ambitious and far reaching in any respect and considering the fact that it was done 22 years ago, I’d say it was well ahead of its time. I suppose not everybody can enjoy this kind of creation as much as I do, but nevertheless it is a momentous piece of intellectual significance, cutting deeply into the listener’s soul, if listened to carefully and attentively.
| | | BOOK+CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | SHLOMI GOLDENBERG ~ BLUES STRAIGHT AHEAD
NOT ON LABEL ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2006 Released: 2006
Israeli saxophonist / composer Shlomi GoldenbergFind albums by this artist is one of the most active musicians on the local scene. Shlomi released his debut recording on my JazzisFind albums on this label label almost 20 years ago, and he´s been recording and releasing albums ever since. This album presents him in a quartet setting with pianist Nitzan GavrieliFind albums by this artist, bassist Nadav LahishFind albums by this artist and drummer Roi UlielFind albums by this artist, playing what seems at first glance as a nostalgic set of his own Blues-based compositions, similar to the material recorded by many Jazz Giants at the outset of their careers, especially John ColtraneFind albums by this artist. Although the music is definitely straight-forward, it is by no means simplistic. If fact it is often more challenging to play today in a straight-forward manner than explore the thrills of freedom that Jazz allows, provided of course that the straight-forward performance is as good as the one presented here. Shlomi´s ability and fluidity as a player are quite evident here, when he soars during his solos and he´s superbly supported by the pianist and the rhythm section. All the musicians have a great grasp of the Blues background so omnipresent in Jazz, enabling them to explore the compositions to their full potential. Overall this is an excellent album from start to finish, somewhat nostalgic, but very much contemporary at the same time. I´m sure that this album can be enjoyed by many Jazz connoisseurs around the world.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | SHLOMI GOLDENBERG ~ FLOWER
NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 005500465083) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1985 - 2004 Released: 2004
Israeli saxophonist / composer Shlomi GoldenbergFind albums by this artist is one of the most active musicians on the local scene. Shlomi released his debut recording on my JazzisFind albums on this label label almost 20 years ago, and he´s been recording and releasing albums ever since. This album presents his retrospective material as a composer / player during his stay in the US in the late 1980s, recorded with various ensembles Shlomi calls the Little Big BandFind albums by this artist. Here the players include mostly American Jazz musicians: pianists John MedeskiFind albums by this artist and Thomas McKinleyFind albums by this artist, bassists Weseley WorthFind albums by this artist and Gary PeacockFind albums by this artist, drummers Gordon GrothentallerFind albums by this artist and Alex DeutchFind albums by this artist. A few Israeli players are also present and include saxophonist Avram FeferFind albums by this artist, pianist Eli MeiriFind albums by this artist and others. The music, written entirely by Shlomi (except for one standard) is a set of modern Jazz compositions, which in retrospect emphasize Shlomi´s talent as a composer, which was evident already from the very start of his career. The performances are excellent, with Medeski delivering some incredible soloing, for which he is now famous. Shlomi proves again his versatility and talent as a player and a composer, firmly establishing his reputation as one of the leaders of the Israeli Jazz scene.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | HAROLD RUBIN TRIO ~ AIR KISS SUITE
OUTNOW 034 (Barcode: 7132893701528) ~ ISRAEL ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018
This is a live album by Israeli Jazz clarinetist / composer / bandleader Harold RubinFind albums by this artist and my dear Friend, whose albums I released for many years on my JazzisFind albums on this label Records label. This impromptu recording, captured in Harold’s living room in his Jaffa apartment, was one of his last recordings before his lamented death in 2020. The music was recorded by a trio, which includes also two young Israeli improvisers: pianist Illay SabagFind albums by this artist and bassist Asaf ShchoriFind albums by this artist. The album presents four tracks, all parts of the suite which gives the album its title. All three musicians are co-credited as composers.
The music is completely improvised, as appropriate for Rubin’s modus operandi in his late period, when he completely abandoned pre-conceived / composed music in favor of spur of the moment improvisation. And yet his music always included a “melodic” substance, which was embedded in his subconscious performing mechanisms. Despite his advanced age and poor health, his playing is absolutely vibrant and creative, with the two young musicians following his lead to the best of their abilities. Harold’s genius is still intact and this album proves that he was the greatest improviser of all time on the Israeli scene.
Writing about this music seems to me as futile as writing about emotions, since the message received by the listener is in this case so absolutely personal and indescribable as they come. I have listened to Harold’s music for decades, and still every time I hear it the experience is new and as exciting as it was at the first time. I can only hope this incredible feeling can be shared by others.
Overall, this is another document of Improvised Music at its absolute best, at its pure core so to speak, which should really grab all fans of this music deeply. Harold’s music remains, sadly almost completely unknown to the music lovers worldwide, in it probably will stay this way, but here is one more chance to get exposed to his Genius!
| | Updated: 19/04/2024Posted: 19/04/2024 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | LESZEK ZADLO ~ LESZEK ZADLO ENSEMBLE
POLJAZZ / ANEX 316 (Barcode: 5907513047711) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1973 Released: 2009
Polish saxophonist / composer Leszek ZadloFind albums by this artist is undoubtedly one of the greatest Jazz musicians born in that country. A brilliant player and improviser, Zadlo continues the John ColtraneFind albums by this artist legacy of playing the saxophone as if his life depended on it, with total devotion and sublime natural talent. Of course he is also my close personal friend, so don´t expect any objectivity here. This is his debut recording with an ensemble comprising of some fellow Austrian players whom he met during his musical studies in Austria. Following his studies Zadlo settled in Germany, where he lives since the early 1970s, returning often to Poland to partake in the country´s many different Jazz activities, like festivals, workshops, etc. He teaches Jazz and performs vigorously with several groups, recording his works (including on my JazzisFind albums on this label label). This beautiful album is a glimpse of a young, but already mature player; performing music he composed in modern / Free Jazz setting, full of virtuoso performances and uplifting strength. The album was originally released under the title "Inner SilenceFind albums with this title". Anybody interested in Easter European Jazz should find this album fascinating and I can only recommend it wholeheartedly.
| | | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | HANDS ~ HANDS
SHROOM 96001 ~ USA ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1977 - 1980
1st album by the little known band HandsFind albums by this artist, which recorded a Prog gem, considered by many to be one of the best ever US releases. Very much in the Gentle GiantFind albums by this artist tradition, with sophisticated melodies and rhythm changes. Mostly instrumental, including violin, with great interplays between the group members. Delightful and an absolute must!
This new edition was produced in cooperation with JazzisFind albums on this label Records.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
|
