Record Reviews

AVISHAI COHEN ~ AS IS… LIVE AT THE BLUE NOTE HALF NOTE 4531 (Barcode: 616892453123) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2006 Released: 2007 Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist, Israeli Jazz Ambassador in NY, presents his beautiful music in full glory on this CD & DVD set, recorded live at the legendary NY Blue Note Club. Since the 1990s Cohen established his career by playing with some of the finest musicians in the US: Paquito D`RiveraFind albums by this artist, Roy HargroveFind albums by this artist, Danilo PerezFind albums by this artist and of course Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist (in Corea’s group OriginFind albums by this artist and his trio). Universally accepted as one of the top contemporary bass players, Cohen is also a prolific composer and his music, deeply influenced by Middle-Eastern motifs, is always fresh and uplifting. This recording with his regular trio (Sam BarshFind albums by this artist – keyboards and Mark GuillianaFind albums by this artist – drums) augmented by Diego UrcolaFind albums by this artist – trumpet and Jimmy GreeneFind albums by this artist – saxophones, features a set of Cohen’s compositions (with the exception of one standard) and emphasizes his great talents as a player and a composer. The music is, as always in his case, complex and yet melodic with all the qualities required of good modern Jazz. Definitely something any Jazz listener will enjoy immensely.

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AVISHAI COHEN ~ UNITY STRETCH 9036 (Barcode: 013431903628) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2001 Released: 2001 4th album by Israeli bassist / composer Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist and almost a complete about face for him in many respects. Cohen abandons the acoustic bass (which brought him his glory), switching to piano and electric bass and joins four other excellent musicians to form what they call The International Vamp BandFind albums by this artist. The quintet also includes Avi LebovichFind albums by this artist on trombone, Yosvany TerryFind albums by this artist on saxes, Diego UrcolaFind albums by this artist on trumpet, Yagil BarasFind albums by this artist on acoustic bass and Antonio SanchezFind albums by this artist on drums. Together they play some of the most exciting and invigorating music I heard in a long time, skillfully mixing Jazz with ethnic influences, mostly those of Latin, Cuban and Mexican music, but also touching on others, like the obvious Cohen’s Middle Eastern roots. Cohen wrote all the music, except for one standard. The performances are brilliant throughout, with many great solos, including Cohen on electric bass a la Jaco Pastorius. This music is a great document of the true “unity” that music offers to all people, regardless of race, nationality or cultural background – when it is good, it sound good to everybody. It is uplifting to see Jazz musicians embracing and incorporating ethnic roots, creating new mixtures and expanding the somewhat stiff palette of traditional Jazz. Cohen is undoubtedly a Master of his trade and his musical adventures so far provide a superb opportunity for his listeners to step across boundaries and learn new sounds, rhythms and musical colors. A must!

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