Record Reviews

NOAM ELRON ~ FLUCTUATION NOT ON LABEL ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2009 Released: 2010 This is the debut album by Israeli Jazz bassist / composer Noam ElronFind albums by this artist recorded in a quartet setting with flautist Hadar NoibergFind albums by this artist, guitarist Dima GorelikFind albums by this artist and drummer Noam LandsmanFind albums by this artist. Yohai CohenFind albums by this artist plays the daf (a Middle-Eastern drum) on a couple of tracks. The album presents eight pieces, six of which are originals by Elron, one is co-composed by Elron and Gorelik and one is an Astor PiazzollaFind albums by this artist composition. As most of Jazz albums created in Israel, also this one presents a strong World Music influence, mostly of Spanish but also of Middle Eastern origins. The intimate atmosphere and almost completely acoustic sound dominates the proceedings, which enables the listener to hear every singular sound made by the musicians. Noiberg and Gorelik, who are the main soloists of course, perform passionately and elegantly both on the calm and the up tempo numbers, with the rhythm section providing the solid backing, which drives the music forward. The most fascinating aspect of this album is its polyrhythmic nature, which perhaps requires a more advanced listener to comprehend the complexity, but is definitely fascinating. In retrospect this is one more of the many excellent Israeli Jazz albums that somehow managed to be passed by almost unnoticed, which of course is a great pity. Sadly the miniscule local Jazz scene is simply overwhelmed with local talent, absolutely unable to cope with its richness and versatility. With some luck this album might have been very well received on the European market at the time, but alas that never happened. Since music of such quality does not expire with time, I urge all the listeners who like challenging original music, which is completely non-conservative, to seek a copy of this little gem ASAP. These days Elron is a member of the superb ensemble SavannahFind albums by this artist And The Stringz, which is also a unique piece of Israeli music worth discovering. Perhaps it´s about time to consider another solo effort to follow this one?

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ARI EREV ~ CLOSE TO HOME NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 195079892035) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is the fourth album by Israeli Jazz pianist / composer Ari ErevFind albums by this artist, recorded with a core trio which includes bassist Assaf HakimiFind albums by this artist and Slovenian (resident in Israel) drummer Gasper BertonceljFind albums by this artist. Guest musicians include saxophonists Yuval CohenFind albums by this artist, flautist Hadar NoibergFind albums by this artist and percussionist Gilad DobreckyFind albums by this artist. The album presents thirteen tracks, eight of which are original compositions by Erev and five are arrangements of tunes by other composers. The music is, as always, first and foremost beautifully melodic, with strong rhythmic presence, all well within the mainstream Jazz idiom. Erev is a wonderful songweaver and his original melodies all sound like “instant” standards, even if heard for the first time. The rhythm section and guests all perform amicably of course, as expected from highly professional musicians, but personally Erev’s piano playing remains the focus of the album, and it never disappoints. His magic touch on the keyboard is pure delight and I have never enough of listening to him, with glimpses of Bill EvansFind albums by this artist lurking from above. Erev is not looking for any experimentation here, simply trying to deliver a highly melodic, pleasant and straight to the heart message of good time, which often gets forgotten in contemporary Jazz. This album is another solid addition to Erev’s recorded legacy, and a fine portrait of the diversity of Israeli Jazz, which sadly remains almost completely anonymous outside of the country’s borders. Highly recommended, as always, and hopefully we won’t have to wait another five years for the next one.

Updated: 14/05/2021Posted: 14/05/2021

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RAVID KAHALANI / YEMEN BLUES ~ YEMEN BLUES TAV 8 7290105161031 (Barcode: 7290105161031) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2009 - 2010 Released: 2011 This is a brilliant example of the musical fusion that is happening in Israel in the last decade. The dozens of different cultures living side by side in the tiny country of Israel are a fertile ground for interconnections and unexpected fusions since many years, but the last decade has been especially fertile, with new ensembles springing to life all the time. Vocalist / composer Ravid KahalaniFind albums by this artist collected around him a remarkable ensemble of gifted Israeli players, mostly with a strong Jazz background, and together they recorded this superb album, which combines African, Yemenite, Middle Eastern and other musical cultures, rhythms and traditions, fusing them all together into an amalgam, which is deeply moving and overwhelmingly beautiful. Kahalani wrote all the music and the lyrics (in several languages) and sings them simply breathtakingly. Yemen BluesFind albums by this artist was born when Kahalani met Israeli Jazz bassist Omer AvitalFind albums by this artist, who adorned Kahalani´s music with brilliant Jazzy arrangements, which are intelligent and subtle enough not to overshadow the folkloristic roots, but add interesting layers and unexpected twists. Avital plays bass and oud on the album and the other musicians are: Galia HaiFind albums by this artist on viola, Hilla EpsteinFind albums by this artist on cello, Hadar NoibergFind albums by this artist on flute, Itamar BorochovFind albums by this artist on trumpet, Avi LebovichFind albums by this artist on trombone, Itamar DoariFind albums by this artist and Rony IwrynFind albums by this artist on percussion. People interested in Jazz-World Fusion will be delighted with this album from the first time they hear it, and I can only recommend everybody to try it out! Brilliant stuff!

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ALLISON MILLER / BOOM TIC BOOM ~ BOOM TIC BOOM FOXHAVEN 70026 (Barcode: 600627002625) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2010 Released: 2010 This is the debut album by American drummer Allison MillerFind albums by this artist and her Boom Tic BoomFind albums by this artist quartet, which also includes pianist Myra MelfordFind albums by this artist, violinist Jenny ScheinmanFind albums by this artist and bassist Todd SickafooseFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight compositions, four of which are originals by Miller, two are originals by Melford and two are (sort of) standards. In fact most of the tracks on this album are recorded in a classic piano trio format and Scheinman, who plays just on one track, is credited as a special guest, only to become a full member of the quartet on subsequent albums. Three women and a guy sound more like a recipe for a romantic comedy than a Jazz ensemble, but in this case the recipe works wonders. Boom Tic Boom really booms, or ticks, or whatever, from the very beginning of this exceptional album and all the way through. The music is modern Jazz, with a lot of Free passages and breathing space, which has everything a great Jazz album should: good melodies, great improvisations, group interplay, fiery solos, a sense of vitality and desire to play together. Combined with virtuosic performances by the musicians, this is definitely a superb example of contemporary music, which is intelligent and emotional, elegant, uncompromising, artistic and above all honest. Miller is an exceptional drummer; that is plainly obvious. She plays more naturally and intuitively then most other Jazz drummers I know, and believe you me, I do know a lot of them. Switching effortlessly between swing, free form, country and rock she is always right where she needs to be in a way she needs to be. Sickafoose is a monster bassist, which is immediately evident from the first bass thud one hears on this album. Down to earth, steady as a rock and completely in charge of his faculties his bass lines are the glue that keeps the music together. His solos here are paradigms of bass perfection. Melford Is the "bad girl" of this crew, making sure the music does not get too pretty and immediately taking it into uncharted territory. They are perfect for each other and their music shows it. This is definitely an album, which I will return to repeatedly, which happens very rarely considering the mountains of albums I´m buried under. Side Note: I was fortunate to meet Allison a few weeks ago in Poland and even had a dinner with her and the other members of the trio she played with, flautist Hadar NoibergFind albums by this artist and bassist Or BareketFind albums by this artist. She gave me two of her albums (this one being one of them), which she signed for me with dedications that read: "Bad Boy" and "Bad Influence", which of course I consider as compliments of the highest degree. She made me fall head over heels in love with her beautiful personality, and I´m grateful for the opportunity to make her acquaintance. Keep up whatever you are doing, because you are doing it right, Girl!

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HADAR NOIBERG ~ FROM THE GROUND UP DOT TIME 9041 (Barcode: 604043904129) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015 This is the third album by Israeli (resident in NY) flautist / composer Hadar NoibergFind albums by this artist, recorded in her favorite trio format, with fellow Israeli bassist Haggai Cohen MiloFind albums by this artist and American drummer extraordinaire Allison MillerFind albums by this artist. Israeli clarinet superstar Anat CohenFind albums by this artist guests on one track and guitarist Yotam SilbersteinFind albums by this artist guests on three tracks. The album presents eleven tracks, ten of which are original composition by Noiberg and one is her interpretation of an Israeli Pop song. The flute is a delicate and fragile instrument and Noiberg´s decision to play her music in the intimate trio format is a wise choice. The trio leaves enough breathing (pun intended) space for all the musicians not only to express their individual statements, but more importantly to listen to each other attentively and sympathetically, which is evident in every moment of this album. Both Cohen Milo and Miller connect with Noiberg aesthetically and emotionally on many levels and the symbiosis does wonders for the music. Although physically uprooted from her Israeli identity, mentally Noiberg still resides very much within the Israeli landscape, with her tunes being all closely related to the desert wind and sea breeze, sunny beaches and gentle hills, where the lonely shepherd´s flute spins heartbreaking melodies. Her rhythmic identity still follows the Middle Eastern darbuka much closer than the regular 4/4 pulse. And this is the secret of Hadar Noiberg, which makes her tick and enables her to create that wonderful music of hers. The performances on this album are all absolutely perfect. Noiberg´s virtuosity is a well known fact and she really pours her heart out on this album. Cohen Milo is with her shoulder to shoulder, supplying the firm ground that allows her to spread her wings. His finesse and immense talent are a delightful gift and a blessing. I was lucky to meet Allison Miller and hear her playing this material live, and she is a soul mate communicating with Noiberg telepathically. Her amazing talent and unusual approach to drumming are a true discovery and I can´t imagine a better partner for Noiberg. Silberstein adds his gentle touch, like a whiff of a sensual perfume on a beautiful woman, inconspicuous but dramatically conquering. Anat Cohen exchanges some really hot licks with Noiberg, revealing a rarely seen ability of hers to improvise almost freely, which is another great surprise of this album. Overall this is a beautiful piece of superbly elegant music, a statement made by a mature and determined artist, who has a lot to offer and who makes this world a better place to live in. Hopefully this album will get the attention it truly deserves and personally I can´t wait to hear the next one already. Well done girl, chapeau!

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HADAR NOIBERG ~ JOURNEY BACK HOME NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 884502383195) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2009 Released: 2009 2nd album by Israeli flautist Hadar NoibergFind albums by this artist, who lives, composes music and performs in NY, recorded with her trio, which consists of two other Israeli compatriots currently residing in NY: bassist Omer AvitalFind albums by this artist and drummer Ziv RavitzFind albums by this artist. Appropriately entitled "Journey Back HomeFind albums with this title", the album reflects Hadar´s Israeli / Middle Eastern cultural roots much stronger than her affiliation with American Jazz, which of course works in her favor. Evidently the longing for native shores and the sounds implanted in her mind when she grew up in Israel all floated up to the surface, when she wrote and arranged the music, which makes up this beautiful ode to her true homeland. Israelis, perhaps more that any other People on this planet, are seldom able to disconnect themselves from their true source, even after living abroad for extended periods of time. So here we have it: the sound of desert winds, see breezes, distant hills, Bedouin tents, camel caravans, herds of sheep tendered by lonely shepherds sending their tunes of solitude wrought on a wooden flute… all of these are reflected both melodically and rhythmically by Hadar´s music. With today´s omnipresence of World Music elements, these lovely tunes sound completely natural to anybody, who is true music connoisseur. Of course there is plenty of Jazz here, no need to worry about that; it is a Jazz album after all. Hadar´s cohorts are both well seasoned and exceptionally talented Jazz players. Avital, with his deep and steady bass pulsations is the ideal partner for Hadar´s flute, providing the earthly connection to her windy improvisations. Avital´s bass (and occasional oud) is the firm basis, carrying the music like a magic carpet, far away, but always exactly on track. Ravitz ornaments the music with endless percussive inventions, which make the music sparkle like a multicolored veil, rather that forcing the rhythms. He is blessed with the rare gift of being able to produce a feel of a rhythm rather that the actual rhythmic pattern itself, leaving the rest to the listener´s imagination. So here you have it: an album full of beautiful, moving, intelligent music performed masterly by exceptional musicians, who dedicate their lives to make our lives worth living. I must admit that listening to this music makes me proud to be an Israeli, which is not often an easy undertaking these days. Thank you Hadar, Omer and Ziv for this wonderful musical experience; may others enjoy it as much as I did!

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