Record Reviews

KUTIMAN ~ KUTIMAN MELTING POT 047 (Barcode: 673793304725) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2005 Released: 2007 1st album by young Israeli composer / multi-instrumentalist Ophir KutielFind albums by this artist a.k.a. KutimanFind albums by this artist. Although the young generation of Israeli musicians active in the 21st Century already proved time and again that they are capable of producing some amazing music in the Electronic, Rock, Prog and Jazz genres (as witnessed on the numerous CDs found on my site), most of them are deeply influenced by the European classical music tradition and American Rock and Jazz. What the local scene lacks (or rather lacked until this album) almost completely is music, which boasts groove, such as Funk, Soul or Afro-beat. Therefore this album comes as such a delightful surprise, filling the missing gap completely. This Jewish boychik has enough groove to shake the entire country’s butt and a soul as black as the heart of Africa. Of course it all didn’t come from thin air – Ophir did a lot of listening to the right kind of music, which can be traced (but only as influences, not as imitations) in his music: Sly & The Family StoneFind albums by this artist (There’s A Riot Goin’ OnFind albums with this title), Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist’s late 1970’s Funk explorations, late Miles DavisFind albums by this artist (TutuFind albums with this title), African Master musician Fela KutiFind albums by this artist (obvious name reference here) and a lot of Ambient, Lounge and Psychedelic music. All these influences come together, and Ophir’s individual approach glues them into a new and fascinating amalgam. This music although far from trivial or simplistic, hits you right in the place where your soul happens to be located and engulfs you completely, making your body to sway in the process. Although Ophir plays most of the instruments on the album, which BTW is also brilliantly produced, he invited some local musicians and vocalists to take part. These include members of the local Funk band Funk’n’steinFind albums by this artist and the local diva KarolinaFind albums by this artist. Whatever your musical preferences, this music just can’t leave you cold, and if it does (God forbid) then you probably have no soul at all. Absolutely great fun!

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