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Blog
| 8 blog entries found. | |
| 2010: 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 | 2009: 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 | |
| 2008: 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 | 2007: 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 | |
| 2006: 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 | 2005: 11 12 | |
| ~ May 1, 2009 |
CD
Here is another Israeli classic album expanded and remastered:
Yoni Rechter / Yehudith Ravitz – “Once And Forever (30th Anniversary Expanded Edition)”
Israeli pianist / composer Yoni Rechter and singer Yehudith Ravitz first met as team members of the children's show Sixteenth Lamb, which produced one extraordinary album soon to become an absolute Israeli classic, considered to this very day as the best albums of its kind (and definitely not only for kids). Following the Sixteenth Lamb, Rechter and Ravitz teamed up for the "Once And Forever" show, later recording the songs from the show for an album of the same title, which also became an instant classic. Both Rechter and Ravitz were already seasoned musicians by the time they recorded this album; Rechter spent several years with the top Israeli Rock band Kaveret, which recorded three albums, Ravitz fronted the wonderful Sheshet band, which also produced two superb albums. Nevertheless this recording was in fact the first opportunity for both of them to flourish, Rechter mainly as a composer of wonderful and unforgettable melodies and Ravitz as a superb singer of highest sensitivity, second to none, a position she still holds to this very day. The album includes some of Rechter's most beautiful compositions, exquisitely performed by Ravitz and a team of great supporting musicians, an extraordinary document of the first period of Israel's musical scene coming to fruition. This new expanded edition includes not only the original album but also a live performance of the show filmed by Israeli TV as well as a couple of other TV appearances, all released for the first time on DVD. This is an absolute must for any fan of Israeli music!
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| ~ April 30, 2009 |
CD
Here is a series of new additions from the vibrant Japanese Prog scene:
TEE – “The Earth Explorer”
2nd album (and first studio recording) by Japanese Prog group TEE, who play classic Symphonic Prog in accordance to the heritage of the great Prog Masters of the 1970s. Fronted by the excellent flute player Kenji Imai and including keyboardist Ryuji Yonekura (who wrote all the music, ex-Interpose), guitarists Katsumi Yoneda, bassist Yukio Iigahama and drummer Takayuki Asada, the band delivers six extended pieces full of beautiful melodies and superb solos, everything a Prog fan might desire. The delivery is spotless and uplifting, making this album an instantly likeable piece of music. There is little need to add anything more – Prog fans and even Fusion fans will find everything they need here and flute lovers will be especially delighted. The album reflects well the vibrant and advanced Japanese scene, which never ceases to surprise. Recommended!
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| ~ April 29, 2009 |
EVENT
We celebrate today Israel's 61st Independence Day – against all odds we are still here!
CD
Here is a series of new additions from the vibrant Japanese Prog scene:
Synchronous Yawn – “Cracks”
1st album by excellent Japanese trio Synchronous Yawn, led by guitarist / keyboardist Eishow Mutoh (who also wrote most of the music), with bassist Naoyuki Seto and drummer Masashi Matsumoto. Three guest musicians participate on several tracks, most notably the excellent soprano saxophonist Yuji Kawamura, who sounds like Wayne Shorter. The music is excellent, a mixture of Jazz-Rock Fusion and Japanese ethnic influences, somewhat resembling early Weather Report. All these players are truly excellent and the album is full of mystic atmosphere and beautiful melodies. The recordings span a period of 7 years and since I couldn't find any information about the band, I hope they still exist, as they have great potential. At least we have this document of their activities so far, hoping to hear more. The album reflects well the vibrant and advanced Japanese scene, which never ceases to surprise. Although completely obscure, this album surely deserves to be heard and enjoyed beyond its homeland. Recommended!
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| ~ April 28. 2009 |
CD
Here is a series of new additions from the vibrant Japanese Prog scene:
Fishing Persons – “Live & Demo”
1st album by excellent Japanese quintet Fishing Persons, which collects their live performances and demo recordings. The band plays a strange mixture of Prog / RIO / Fusion and Jazz, completely unusual, which was all written by the band's members. The instrumentation includes sax / flute, keyboards, guitar, bass and drums and the players are all excellent, especially the saxophonist / flautist, who takes a few very interesting solos. I couldn't find any information about the band, but since the material included here is all several years old, I assume they disbanded in the meantime, which is a pity, as they had great potential. At least we have this document of their activities at the time, which reflects well the vibrant and advanced Japanese scene. Although completely obscure, this album surely deserves to be heard and enjoyed beyond its homeland. Recommended!
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| ~ April 27, 2009 |
CD
Here is a series of new additions from the vibrant Japanese Prog scene:
O-U – “O-U”
1st album by the excellent Japanese band O-U, which collects their live performances recorded over a period of 7 years, with slightly changing lineup. The band plays a crazy mixture of Prog / RIO / Fusion and Jazz, completely unusual, which was mostly written by the band's keyboardist Kazuto Shimizu. The rich instrumentation, with keyboards, guitar, violin, saxophone, trombone, bass and drums turns the group into a potent ensemble, capable of delivering group improvisation as well as individual solos. As usual with this kind of material, the music borders on Contemporary Classical and the band members are surely influenced by modern composers. The band apparently disbanded, shortly after the last performances on this album were recorded, which is a pity, as they had great potential. At least we have this document of their activities at the time, which reflects well the vibrant and advanced Japanese scene. Although completely obscure, this album surely deserves to be heard and enjoyed beyond its homeland. Recommended!
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| ~ April 26, 2009 |
CD
Here is a new album by a great Spanish group Senogul:
Senogul – “Aural Impressions Concert For Instrumental Ensemble”
2nd album by the excellent Spanish Prog band Senogul and a great follow up to their eponymous debut, although an almost about face stylistically. As the title suggests, the band produced this time a complete musical suite, rather than a collection of unrelated pieces. The music is only marginally Prog and is spiritually closer to Contemporary Classical and Ambient music. It is a serious and ambitious effort to expand the musical boundaries of Prog by using a wide variety of aural effects, ethnic influences, interesting instrumentation and atmospheric compositions. All the above, combined and used wisely, generate a beautiful musical landscape, upon which the listener can travel, using his imagination at will. Although more difficult to digest, this music presents a highly rewarding listening experience, which the more sophisticated listeners should enjoy in full. I raise my hat to the members of the group in recognition of their courage to take the less travelled path, discovering the unknown, rather that follow the beaten tracks, which usually end up in boredom. Wholeheartedly recommended and worth exploring!
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| ~ April 25, 2009 |
CD Here is a new album by my friend and a great pianist Eyran Katsenelenbogen: Eyran Katsenelenbogen – “88 Fingers” Every new album by Israeli (resident in US) pianist Eyran Katsenelenbogen feels to me like a birthday of a new grandchild… after all Eyran started his illustrious career by recording two albums on my Jazzis label, before he achieved his international fame and recognition. Today critics compare Eyran's work to such outstanding Jazz pianists like Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson, but the seeds of his genius were evident already then, when he was taking his first steps towards greatness. Eyran was always an exceptional musician. Both his technical proficiency but even more so his incredible feel for the Jazz improvisation turn him into a unique phenomenon among thousands of good piano players around the world. Talent can not be measured of course and the appreciation of art is a completely subjective experience. But when a talent, such as the one Eyran is blessed with, is developing consistently (this is Eyran's 10th album), one can take for granted the fact that every new recording he produces will reveal new layers of his great gift. This new album does that again, with Eyran choosing as the base for his solo piano improvisations themes by Classical composers, like Modest Mussorgsky and Frederic Chopin, expanding his usual choice of Jazz standards and Israeli contemporary music. It is of course impossible to convey in words the beauty of the music and the feelings it inspires, listening to it is the only way to plunge into its magic. I could ramble on about the music, but honestly, just get a copy, put it on, close your eyes and let the music take you wherever it might take you. Eyran is a master of soul exploration; therefore no soul can stay indifferent under his spell. https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102780 JAZZIS WEB SHOP Spring HAVE FUN! |
| ~ April 22, 2009 |
PERSONAL
After a long pause, caused my a variety of personal reasons and the Passover holidays, I'm back on track adding new releases ;)
CD
Here is a great European Jazz album, which I received recently, and loved instantly:
European Jazz Ensemble – “30th Anniversary Tour 2006”
The European Jazz Ensemble is a "cooperative" group of top European Jazz musicians, which tours and records together for the last 30 years. Over time, an incredible parade of talent passed through the ranks of this group, each of the musicians being a leader and acknowledged instrumentalist / composer of the highest statue. The list of the players on this album, for example, is truly scary for anyone familiar with European Jazz: Alan Skidmore, Stan Sulzmann, Gerd Dudek and Charlie Mariano (the only non-European by birth but very much so by spirit) on saxophone, Jiri Stivin on flute, Manfred Schoof and Pino Minafra on trumpet, Joachim Kühn on piano, Ali Haurand on bass, and Daniel Humair and Tony Levin on drums. These brilliant musicians perform a set of no less brilliant compositions, with predictably brilliant arrangements – what can I say, the album is just one nasty piece of superb music, kicking badly from start to finish. Although basically the performances are by a big band, in truth the individual soloist are given plenty of opportunity to stretch out, backed up only by the rhythm section, which makes this album likeable even for people, who have a slight adversity to big band albums (God only knows why). Regardless of ones specific likes and dislikes might be, this is a kind of recording that any true Jazz fan can not ignore. The subtle musical trickery, known only by the European Jazzers, is so obvious here, that I'd recommend this album to every American big band fan, to learn what really can be achieved with such potent "instrument". Brilliant! (Oh yes, I already said so…).
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