Record Reviews

NIOGI ~ LANDING ALESSA 1040 (Barcode: 9004501010408) ~ ISRAEL ~ Smooth Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015 This is the debut album by Israeli duo NiogiFind albums by this artist, which consists of saxophonist Omri AbramovFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Guy ShkolnikFind albums by this artist, which was expanded to a quartet with the addition of Norwegian bassist Per MathisenFind albums by this artist and Israeli drummer Utsi ZimringFind albums by this artist. The album presents five original compositions, three by Shkolnik and two by Abramov, including a five-part suite, which last for almost twenty four minutes. The album was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo, engineered by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist. The music of Niogi is a very melodic, serene and well behaved, floating somewhere between Prog-Rock, Jazz-Rock Fusion and Smooth Jazz. In some respects it is similar to what Pet MethenyFind albums by this artist was doing with his group during the early days of career (late 1970s to mid 1980s) or the easy side of Scandinavian Jazz, which often ventures into atmospheric music. The compositions are solid, but rather unremarkable and take absolutely no risks. Overall the music is pretty derivative. The performance of the music is dominated by the keyboards, acoustic piano and a plethora of synthesizer sounds, which after a while start to sound all the same. The saxophone parts are even less impressive. The only extraordinary musicianship is demonstrated by Mathisen, whose acoustic and electric bass parts are brilliant from start to finish and who shows ears, sensitivity, elegance and virtuosity in his performances. Overall this is a very pleasant, melodic music, which tries to reach a wide audience without offending anybody on the way. Since such music is loved by many, Niogi might even achieve a commercial success, but on the other hand they have fierce competition by hundreds of other groups playing very similar music. Not my cup of tea.

Updated: 11/05/2016Posted: 11/05/2016

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UDI SHLOMO ~ DIASPORA HOUSE ALESSA 1094 (Barcode: 9004501010941) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2019 Released: 2021 This is the debut album by Israeli (resident in Norway) drummer / composer Uri ShlomoFind albums by this artist recorded in a quintet setting with Israeli saxophonist Omri AbramovFind albums by this artist and Dutch saxophonist Jesse SchilderinkFind albums by this artist, Norwegian pianist Havard AuflesFind albums by this artist and Swedish bassist David AnderssonFind albums by this artist. The album, recorded live, presents seven tracks, three of which are originals by Shlomo and four are his arrangements of Israeli / Jewish songs. The music is a mixture of modern Jazz and Middle Eastern accents, mostly very melodic and somewhat melancholic. The double saxophone front line offers a lot of interesting interplay between the two soloists, the piano mostly supports the music harmonically but at times offers excellent soloing, which is the most open element on the album, and the rhythm section keeps the music moving forward at a steady pace. Overall this is a promising debut album by Shlomo, exposing his compositional / arranging skills and his playing, as well as his integration into the European scene, which is certainly a wonderful example of openness and musical brotherhood. Hopefully Trondheim is not too cold for you Udi, and the many musical friends will keep you warm at heart. Keep up the good work!

Updated: 11/08/2021Posted: 11/08/2021

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UDI SHLOMO ~ YOU & ME ALESSA 1116 (Barcode: 9004501011160) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2023 This is the second album by Israeli (resident in Norway) Jazz drummer / composer Udi ShlomoFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quintet setting with Israeli saxophonist Omri AbramovFind albums by this artist and pianist Moshe ElmakiasFind albums by this artist and Norwegian trumpeter Oscar Andreas HaugFind albums by this artist and bassist Andreas SvaboFind albums by this artist. Two guest musicians appear on two tracks. The album presents eight tracks, seven of which (one appearing in two versions) are original compositions by Shlomo and one is an arrangement of a traditional Jewish song (piyyut). But people familiar with Israeli music will find hints of other Israeli melodies incorporated into the music, especially in the “Country Song”, which is the most Middle Eastern oriented piece on the album, except of course from the arrangement of the piyyut. The music is mostly within the modern European mainstream, based on the excellent compositions by Shlomo, which are the true forte of this album. All the participating musicians are of course extremely talented, which is not surprising among the new generation of European musicians. Elmakias easily steals the show with his sensational piano parts, but the saxophone and trumpet parts are also perfectly executed. The rhythm section keeps the music streaming vivaciously and Shlomo’s imaginative drumming is perfect for the occasion. This album is definitely way more coherent, interesting and creative that than the debut recorded three years prior, which of course is a very positive and hopefully lasting development. The compositions are truly magnificent and Shlomo is one more evidence that many Jazz drummers are also superb composers. Overall, this is a very pleasant, beautifully put together album, which should satisfy even the most capricious Jazz connoisseurs, and an important step forward in Shlomo’s career, which surely holds many future surprises for us. Well done, young man, hats off to you and your colleagues!

Updated: 25/06/2023Posted: 25/06/2023

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