Record Reviews

IDO BUKELMAN ~ SOLO OUTNOW 005 (Barcode: 7290011216962) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2010 Released: 2011 This is the debut solo recording by Israeli guitarist / composer Ido BukelmanFind albums by this artist, one of the most prolific musicians on the local Free Jazz / Improvised Music scene. In contrast to his ensemble recordings or those with the EFTFind albums by this artist trio (also released on the great OutNowFind albums on this label Recording label) where he mostly plays electric guitar, on this album Bukelman opts for the acoustic guitar, except for one track on which he adds electronics. The music is very difficult to describe and belongs to the extreme Avant-Garde personal statements, which are incredibly difficult to access and assess. If anybody reading this is familiar with the work of the great British guitarist Derek BaileyFind albums by this artist, one of the Godfathers of the Improvised Music movement, then this might be a starting point. This does not mean of course that Bukelman is imitating Bailey´s work, as that would be an oxymoron, but stylistically and sonically the content of this album belongs in the same sphere. Obviously this is a very personal music and the question if it is communicative and transferable to the listener remains open and is largely up to the listener himself. Improvised Music is, after all, a very individual expression of a momentary inspiration. One should of course commend the Artist first for making such individual and unconventional statement and that for bringing it out in the open for others to experience. Hopefully there will be others open-minded enough to enjoy and appreciate this music.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

IDO BUKELMAN ~ THE DOOR KADIMA COLLECTIVE 33 (Barcode: 7290011216009) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 Released: 2011 This is the second solo recording by Israeli guitarist / composer Ido BukelmanFind albums by this artist, one of the most prolific musicians on the local Free Jazz / Improvised Music scene. In contrast to his ensemble recordings or those with the EFTFind albums by this artist trio, where he mostly plays electric guitar, on his solo albums Bukelman opts for the acoustic guitar, adding also banjo and some percussion on this one. Of the eleven tracks on this album, all composed by him, the last six are connected into a suite, which gives the album its title. In comparison to his previous solo album ("SoloFind albums with this title"), recorded just a few months earlier, this album is much more relaxed and "well behaved", with clear melodic content popping out between and behind the freely improvised passages. Of course this is still very much Improvised Music, very personal and complex, which presents quite a challenge to the listener, but the overall effect of this album is definitely less stressful and estranging. With four albums recorded and released in less than a year Bukelman emerges as a major talent of the local scene, one that deserves to be followed carefully, open-mindedly and openheartedly as a source of some serious musical experiences. Hopefully there will be an audience open-minded enough to enjoy and appreciate this music.

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

EFT ~ EFT OUTNOW 003 (Barcode: 7290011216948) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2010 Released: 2011 The Israeli experimental trio EFTFind albums by this artist (Electro Free Trio), which consists of guitarist Ido BukelmanFind albums by this artist, electronics manipulator Daniel DavidovskyFind albums by this artist and drummer Ofer BymelFind albums by this artist, released its debut album recently on the excellent OutNowFind albums on this label label. Probably the most adventurous music ensemble on the local scene, the trio presents a completely unique amalgam of Noise, high power distorted Rock, Jazzy improvisations and a plethora of electronically generated sounds, all these spontaneously created during a process of telepathic musical conversation. Although basically belonging to the Improvised Music genre, the music is somewhat different from the typical IM setting, which usually originates in Jazz, as it is more related to Rock and its experimental area. Of course the nature of such personal and intimate music is often completely impenetrable and remains valid mostly to its creators. The music presented here, although often difficult and definitely nontrivial, manages to be communicative to those, who are ready to make the intellectual effort and open their ears and minds. One must of course commend the courage and determination of these young musicians to create such highly distinctive music, risking alienation and misinterpretation by critics and audiences alike. It´s great to have such music recorded and released, against all odds, and hopefully in time the circle of connoisseurs able and willing to make an intellectual effort it requires will steadily grow. This is an album definitely worth investigating, especially for those more adventurous listeners out there!

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend