Record Reviews

JOËLLE LÉANDRE ~ LIVE IN ISRAEL KADIMA COLLECTIVE 17 (Barcode: 634479851179) ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz Recorded: 2007 Released: 2008 French bassist Joëlle LéandreFind albums by this artist is one of a relatively few women pioneers on the Free Jazz and Improvised Music scene to earn a legendary status. Her activities on the scene have brought her in contact with the most distinguished performers, both European and American (such as Anthony BraxtonFind albums by this artist). She also worked in the field of contemporary Classical music with composers like Pierre BoulezFind albums by this artist and John CageFind albums by this artist. In 2007 Joëlle visited Israel and her live performances there have been recorded and are now issued on this double CD. The first CD includes 7 solo bass (and voice) performances and the second CD offers her playing in duo, trio and sextet settings with the top Israeli Improvised Music artists: Jean Claude JonesFind albums by this artist – bass, Steve HorensteinFind albums by this artist – baritone and soprano sax, flute, Sameer MakhoulFind albums by this artist – oud and voice, Assif TsaharFind albums by this artist – bass clarinet, Daniel SaridFind albums by this artist – piano, Hagai FershtmanFind albums by this artist – drums, Albert BegerFind albums by this artist – tenor sax and Ariel ShiboletFind albums by this artist – soprano sax. These wonderful musical moments are some of the highlights of the Improvised Music created in Israel, a small but quite lively scene led by Jones and consistently documented on his Kadima CollectiveFind albums on this label label. Connoisseurs of the genre will be quite delighted to hear this stuff.

CD 2 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

DANIEL SARID ~ PEARLS OF PERIL EARSAY 021 (Barcode: 7293627102124) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2000 Released: 2001 Pianist Daniel SaridFind albums by this artist is one of the most important representatives of the Israeli Free Jazz scene, which developed significantly since the 1980’s, when musicians like the renowned pianist and composer Vyacheslav GanelinFind albums by this artist immigrated to Israel and started performing and teaching music here. The ensembles led by clarinetist Harold RubinFind albums by this artist were also an excellent breeding ground for many young Israeli musicians, including Daniel Sarid, who played and recorded with Rubin. This album is Daniel’s first recording as a leader. It includes 15 relatively short composed pieces, performed by Sarid and drummer Hagai FershtmanFind albums by this artist. On five pieces saxophonist Ori KaplanFind albums by this artist joins the duo. This intimate setting is an ideal platform for the musician to express their abilities and the phenomenal interplay between them. Highly recommended ear-opener to connoisseurs of the genre.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

TSAHAR / KAPLAN / SARID ~ CRIES OF DISILLUSION EARSAY 019 (Barcode: 7293627001922) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 1999 Released: 2001 Assif TsaharFind albums by this artist (tenor sax and bass clarinet), Ori KaplanFind albums by this artist (alto sax) and Daniel SaridFind albums by this artist (piano) are typical representatives of the contemporary Israeli Jazz scene. They all left Israeli for the US in the late 1980’s to study and then perform and gain experience on the vibrant New York scene. Upon their return to Israel a decade later, they were already seasoned musicians. They integrated into the local scene, formed ensembles and started to record albums. This album, recorded 1999, puts them together in one ensemble for the first time. Each of them contributes compositions (all the music is original) and of course plays on the album, which was recorded in a quintet setting with Israeli bass player Oded GoldshmidtFind albums by this artist and US drummer Bob MayerFind albums by this artist. The music is great modern jazz, with some free elements, but mostly “conventional” enough to be accessible to most modern jazz listeners. Both the compositions and the performances are top notch and this is a valuable document of the local Israeli Jazz scene.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend