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

MIKE STERN ~ WHO LET THE CATS OUT? HEADS UP 3115 (Barcode: 053361311520) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2006 Released: 2006 One of the pioneers of Fusion, Mike SternFind albums by this artist ranks this day among the best guitar players. Throughout his illustrious career, since his Miles DavisFind albums by this artist days and up to now, Stern released a long series of excellent solo album (this is his 15th release as a leader) and was very prolific as a sidemen taking part in hundreds of projects. His playing always borders elegantly between Fusion and Jazz, occasionally emphasizing one genre or another. This album presents a perfect mixture of both genres and includes players from both genres as well, such as Roy HargroveFind albums by this artist – trumpet, Chris Minh DokyFind albums by this artist – bass, Dave WecklFind albums by this artist – drums, Anthony JacksonFind albums by this artist – bass and many others. Stern wrote all the music and plays some mighty guitar here, with traces of Pat MethenyFind albums by this artist sound, but overall quite original and technically brilliant. This is a true fun album and I wholeheartedly recommend it to all fusion-heads.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend