Record Reviews

AVISHAI COHEN ~ AS IS… LIVE AT THE BLUE NOTE HALF NOTE 4531 (Barcode: 616892453123) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2006 Released: 2007 Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist, Israeli Jazz Ambassador in NY, presents his beautiful music in full glory on this CD & DVD set, recorded live at the legendary NY Blue Note Club. Since the 1990s Cohen established his career by playing with some of the finest musicians in the US: Paquito D`RiveraFind albums by this artist, Roy HargroveFind albums by this artist, Danilo PerezFind albums by this artist and of course Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist (in Corea’s group OriginFind albums by this artist and his trio). Universally accepted as one of the top contemporary bass players, Cohen is also a prolific composer and his music, deeply influenced by Middle-Eastern motifs, is always fresh and uplifting. This recording with his regular trio (Sam BarshFind albums by this artist – keyboards and Mark GuillianaFind albums by this artist – drums) augmented by Diego UrcolaFind albums by this artist – trumpet and Jimmy GreeneFind albums by this artist – saxophones, features a set of Cohen’s compositions (with the exception of one standard) and emphasizes his great talents as a player and a composer. The music is, as always in his case, complex and yet melodic with all the qualities required of good modern Jazz. Definitely something any Jazz listener will enjoy immensely.

CD+DVD 2 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

MANN, HERBIE ~ 65TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION LIGHTYEAR 54165 ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1995 Recorded live during Herbie`s 65th birthday celebration in New York`s Blue Note club with a stellar cast including such jazz greats as Paquito D`RiveraFind albums by this artist, Randy BreckerFind albums by this artist and Claudio RoditiFind albums by this artist. The material here is superb, and the playing top-notch. It includes some of the classic tunes that brought Herbie his fame, such as the funk-jazz Memphis Underground. Now that Herbie has sadly departed from us, this is a true celebration to his extraordinary skills.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

MANN, HERBIE ~ AMERICA/BRASIL LIGHTYEAR 54233 ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1995 Recorded live during Herbie`s 65th birthday celebration in New York`s Blue Note club with a stellar cast including such jazz greats as Paquito D`RiveraFind albums by this artist, Randy BreckerFind albums by this artist and Claudio RoditiFind albums by this artist. The material here is superb, and the playing top-notch. The emphasis is on Brasilian music, but some jazz standards are also inlcuded (All Blues, Summertime). Now that Herbie has sadly departed from us, this is a true celebration to his extraordinary skills.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

ALON YAVNAI ~ PICTURE THIS… NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 824594007623) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2004 Released: 2004 1st album by Israeli pianist / composer Alon YavnaiFind albums by this artist, who currently lives in the US and is one of the several Israeli musicians, who managed to establish an international fame and career for themselves in the last few years. Classically trained in Israel, Yavnai continued his studies at the Berklee College of Music, soon after to join the Cuban Master Paquito D`RiveraFind albums by this artist´s ensemble, performing worldwide and recording several albums, including the 2008 Grammy winner "Funk TangoFind albums with this title". In parallel, Yavnai develops his solo career, playing with his trio, cooperating with the great NDR Big BandFind albums by this artist in Hamburg and performing with many acclaimed Jazz artists. This debut album puts him in the spotlight as an instrumentalist and composer. With his trio: Massimo BiolcatiFind albums by this artist – bass and Take ToriyamaFind albums by this artist – drums and with D`Rivera as a special guest, he performs mostly his original compositions with the bass player adding a couple of his own and one classical piece used as a basis. Yavnai´s brilliant technique is evident every step of the way, as he commands the instrument any way he wishes, extracting from it unexpected sounds and strange harmonies. The classical training comes handy when performing all those devilishly difficult changes and arpeggios, but does not overshadow his deep feel for the Jazz tradition and improvisational skills. The music is deeply influenced by Yavnai´s cross-cultural background, with Israeli, Middle Eastern and South American rhythms get combined into a new amalgam. Definitely a superb debut for a future Jazz star, this album is a wet dream for every Jazz piano trio connoisseur, present company included. Wholeheartedly recommended!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend