Record Reviews

ANAT COHEN ~ NOTES FROM THE VILLAGE ANZIC 1302 (Barcode: 896434001177) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2008 Released: 2008 4th album by Israeli (resident in US) clarinetist / saxophonist / composer Anat CohenFind albums by this artist, sister of trumpeter Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Yuval CohenFind albums by this artist, who are also collectively known as the 3 CohensFind albums by this artist. Cohen is already established as one of the leading female Jazz performers in the US and her previous releases have earned her much deserved critical acclaim. On this album Cohen returns to a classic quartet format, with keyboardist Jason LindnerFind albums by this artist (the only non-Israeli on this album), bassist Omer AvitalFind albums by this artist and drummer Daniel FreedmanFind albums by this artist. Guitarist Gilad HekselmanFind albums by this artist guests on three tracks. Cohen´s prime instrument is the clarinet, which she plays masterfully and with a unique lyricism, rooted deeply in the Jewish tradition of that instrument, but she also plays the soprano and tenor saxophones and bass clarinet on this album, displaying her instrumental versatility. Half of the album´s material comprises of Cohen´s original compositions, the rest are standards, including a great version of John ColtraneFind albums by this artist´s "After The Rain". It is a real pleasure to hear these young, but extremely talented musicians, carrying the Jazz tradition into the next Century, expanding it with their own fresh ideas and youthful enthusiasm. Cohen masterly mixes Middle Eastern, Cuban, and above all Jewish ethnic elements into her delivery, with deep sensitivity and finesse. Overall this is a great Jazz album, which is also accessible to a much wider audience beyond the hard-core Jazz circle, without loosing any of its musical integrity. Delightful!

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AVISHAI COHEN ~ ADAMA STRETCH 9015 (Barcode: 013431901525) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 1998 Released: 1998 1st album by Israeli bassist / composer Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist, recorded while he was a member of Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist’s acoustic trio and the OriginFind albums by this artist sextet and released on Corea’s label StretchFind albums on this label Records. The core lineup, which participates in the album’s recording is a sextet with Cohen, Steve WilsonFind albums by this artist on soprano sax, Steve DavisFind albums by this artist on trombone (both Origin members), Jason LindnerFind albums by this artist on piano, another Israeli – Amos HoffmanFind albums by this artist on guitar and Jeff BallardFind albums by this artist on drums. In addition, some guest artists are also appearing, including Chick Corea, Brad Mehldau and Danilo Perez on piano. Cohen’s ability as a bass player is of course legendary and needs no further discussion here, but his true greatness is his extraordinary ability to compose superb Jazz pieces, which skillfully combine the American Jazz tradition with other musical elements, mainly folklore and World Music. Cohen’s Middle Eastern background is clearly evident in his music, although he is also wide open to other sources of inspiration. Of the twelve pieces on the album Cohen composed eleven using just one standard. The overall effect is truly refreshing and the combined skills of the musicians involved create an album of rare beauty, which contains an immense amount of new and exciting music. A truly remarkable debut, which announces many great things to come out of this extraordinary talent. A must!

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AVISHAI COHEN ~ AFTER THE BIG RAIN ANZIC 5101 (Barcode: 616892887928) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2006 Released: 2007 2nd album by Israeli (resident in US) trumpeter / composer Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist (not to be confused with the bass player of the same name), one of several Israeli Jazz musicians who are already firmly established on the international scene. Avishai is the brother of Anat CohenFind albums by this artist and Yuval CohenFind albums by this artist, both gifted reeds players, and together they perform under the 3 CohensFind albums by this artist moniker. This album is the first release of a Jazz trilogy called "Big Rain", and presents Cohen in a quintet setting with guitarist Lionel LouekeFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Jason LindnerFind albums by this artist, bassists Omer AvitalFind albums by this artist and drummer Daniel FreedmanFind albums by this artist. Chekere player Yosvany TerryFind albums by this artist guests on several tracks. The ensemble creates together a highly atmospheric and beautiful mixture of Jazz and World Music, which is a superb example of how Jazz can be saved from stagnation and pushed beyond its usual perimeters. Cohen skillfully employs the trumpet´s natural lyricism as well as electronic effects to produce a plethora of different sounds. Lindner´s playing is delicate and touching, especially when he uses the Fender Rhodes (no other keyboard except the Hammond has such profound and unique sound for me). Loueke´s guitar adds ethnic colors and his occasional vocals (in the Fon language) take the music straight into the heart of Africa. Avital is brilliant, as always, with his bass pulsating like a heart of the music and finally Freedman ornaments the music rather than driving it forcefully, which in this case is exactly what the music needs. Cohen composed most of the music, with Lindner and Loueke contributing one tune each. Altogether this album is an excellent example of creative contemporary Jazz, combining tradition with vision, excellently executed and uplifting. Wholeheartedly recommended!

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AVISHAI COHEN ~ COLORS STRETCH 9031 (Barcode: 013431903123) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2000 Released: 2000 3rd album by Israeli bassist / composer Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist and his most ambitious project to date. Cohen not only expands his personal musical range by adding electric bass and piano to the list of instruments he plays here, but also expanding the lineup of the participating musicians and even including a string quartet. The core lineup, which participates in the album’s recording is a septet with Cohen, Jimmy GreeneFind albums by this artist on reeds and flute, Steve DavisFind albums by this artist and Avi LebovichFind albums by this artist on trombone, Jason LindnerFind albums by this artist on piano, Amos HoffmanFind albums by this artist on guitar and oud and Jeff BallardFind albums by this artist on drums. In addition, some guest artists are also appearing. Cohen’s ability as a bass player is of course legendary and needs no further discussion here, but his true greatness is his extraordinary ability to compose superb Jazz pieces, which skillfully combine the American Jazz tradition with other musical elements, mainly folklore and World Music. Cohen’s Middle Eastern background is clearly evident in his music, although he is also wide open to other sources of inspiration, like Latin Music. Cohen composed all the thirteen tunes on this album. The overall effect is truly refreshing and the combined skills of the musicians involved create an album of rare beauty, which contains an immense amount of new and exciting music. This is a truly remarkable album, which portrays an extraordinary musical talent at work and shows a new path for the future of Jazz, which hopefully will open new horizons to the somewhat sleepy genre at the start of a new Millenium. A must!

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AVISHAI COHEN ~ DEVOTION STRETCH 9021 (Barcode: 013431902126) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 1999 Released: 1999 2nd album by Israeli bassist / composer Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist recorded while he was a member of Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist’s acoustic trio and the OriginFind albums by this artist sextet and released on Corea’s label StretchFind albums on this label Records. The core lineup, which participates in the album’s recording is a sextet with Cohen, Jimmy GreeneFind albums by this artist on sax and flute, Steve DavisFind albums by this artist on trombone, Jason LindnerFind albums by this artist on piano, another Israeli – Amos HoffmanFind albums by this artist on guitar and oud and Jeff BallardFind albums by this artist on drums. Cohen expands his usage of instruments here, adding electric bass, piano, synthesizer and percussion. Cohen’s ability as a bass player is of course legendary and needs no further discussion here, but his true greatness is his extraordinary ability to compose superb Jazz pieces, which skillfully combine the American Jazz tradition with other musical elements, mainly folklore and World Music. Cohen’s Middle Eastern background is clearly evident in his music, although he is also wide open to other sources of inspiration. Of the fourteen pieces on the album, Cohen composed twelve, adding to the repertoire just one folk tune and one composition by the pianist. The overall effect is truly refreshing and the combined skills of the musicians involved create an album of rare beauty, which contains an immense amount of new and exciting music. This is a truly remarkable follow up to the great debut, which announces many great things to come out of this extraordinary talent. A must!

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POINT OF FEW ~ OPEN TO CLOSENESS BIVAK 003 ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2022 This is an album by Czech Jazz quartet Point Of FewFind albums by this artist, comprising of saxophonist Petr SmekalFind albums by this artist, guitarist Radim PridalFind albums by this artist, bassist Vlastimil SkodaFind albums by this artist and drummer Marek AntonuFind albums by this artist. American keyboardist Jason LindnerFind albums by this artist guests on three tracks. The album presents nine tracks, all original compositions, four by Pridal and the rest co-composed by the quartet members. The music is wonderful modern Jazz, strongly influenced by Ambient synthesizer / electronics sounds on the first three tracks, where Lindner adds his parts, and much more relaxed and open-spaced on the rest of the album. There is also some Nordic Jazz inspiration, with a slow development and silence incorporated within the fabric of the compositions, mixed with the Slavic romanticism and lyricism, which often characterizes Czech Jazz. The two leading instruments (sax and guitar) play unisono parts, which creates a very unusual sound, and the interplay between the two soloist is quite remarkable. The rhythm section is also quite unusual, often playing complex rhythm patterns, which somehow miraculously fit together with the melodic flow. In short, this is definitely a highly absorbing piece of music, which requires open-minded approach and patience in order to be fully enjoyed. Personally, I think that the group made a tactical mistake in placing the three tracks with Lindner at the start of the album, rather than leaving them at the end as a closing, sort of separate chapter, but that is of course an artistic decision not for me to take. Overall, this is an excellent album, full of beautiful music and very unusual approach to Jazz composition, superbly executed by the musicians involved and offering an unusual sound, which is even further expanded into the Jazz-Ambient Fusion idiom by the participation of their guest. Highly recommended and definitely worth adding to one’s record collection!

Updated: 18/05/2024Posted: 18/05/2024

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