YES

Description

Sometimes the only preparation needed to record a stirring album is a longtime friendship. Bassist Ali Jackson, pianist Aaron Goldberg and drummer Omer Avital have known each other since their years in college, have played more gigs then they count and consider each best of friends. On Their new CD YES!, the three came together to record a spirited program of original compositions from each member of the group along with some tremendous interpretations of material from artists like Abdullah Ibrahim, Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk. Review: Grooving Soulful Music - Here we have a new release by one of the hardest working pianists on the modern jazz scene Aaron Goldberg. If you've been listening to modern jazz for the last 15yrs there's no reason why you shouldn't recognize his name. I was first turned onto Goldberg's piano artistry in 2000 when he was a member of saxophonist Joshua Redman's Quartet appearing on Redman's album from 2000 Beyond . Aaron also leads his own trios & has two excellent albums out. The most recent was titled "Home" it featured drummer Eric Harland & bassist Rueben Rogers with tenor sax man Mark Turner guesting on several tracks. Aaron has also been a regular at the legendary Smalls Jazz Club appearing with many of NYCs top up & coming jazz musicians like the bassist that appears with Goldberg on "Yes" Omer Avital. Appearing live with Avital's group on Ancient Art of Giving which also features drummer Ali Jackson who provides the propulsion for Goldberg & Avital on this album as well as two tunes to this session. The point I'm trying to make here is that these three guys know each other's playing very well boarding on telepathic! The music of this album consists of originals by Goldberg & Avital as well as more well known jazz fair such as Monk's "Epistrophy" cast here in 6/8,the Duke Ellington "The Shepherd" as well as music from one of Avital's Israeli peers saxophonist Eli Degibri's "Manic Depressive". In my opinion it's the easy jam feeling of this music & their interaction that's the most inspiring thing about this set but nothing these three play is without soul. This recording has a laid back feel good energy that only comes from players that have logged lots of hours together on stage & off. Aaron sounds like what Bill Evans may have sounded like if he'd some funk & gospel chops at the keyboard, he's not one to waste alot of energy flying wildly up and down the keyboard. Instead he seems to pick each phrase & chord voicing with love & care which to my ears provides a very easy experience for your ears but I wouldn't call it lounge or smooth it has more depth than that. I'd like to give you a few musical high lights before I close this review. The opening tune is currently the tune I'v been returning to over & over the beautiful piece by African jazz pianist Abdullah Ibrahim "Maraba Blue" is a laid back bluesy piece with shades of gospel. Aaron & Omer make sanctified solo exchanges back & forth before Ali Jackson comes off the sparse rim shot beat he'd been giving moving over to the ride cymbal for some swing which Aaron solos over briefly before they fade it down & end where they had begun. Track 3 "Aziel Dance" is an ethnic world music sounding piece with a nice second line type beat provided by Ali Jackson who is content through out to groove & groove some more. This tune has an interesting form that seems to leave you hanging unresolved upon ending. Track 4 the lone Monk tune the frequently covered "Epistrophy" is given a medium tempo latin treatment in 6/8 for the A-section then breaking into straight swinging for the B-section. This tune features nice solos by Goldberg & Avital, Avital taking an especially intense solo making his upright bass talk. Ali Jackson gets in on the fun trading solos with Goldberg before taking the tune out with the latin groove. Omer Avital has two great tunes "Homeland" & "Yes" both were on Avital's album Ancient Art of Giving I'm going to stop there with the music wanting to leave some surprise left for the listeners. I'll close by saying that you can't go wrong with this album if you're a fan of jazz piano trio albums by Bill Evans or Brad Mehldau. I would also recommend this to fans of Omer Avital who's influence over the music here is great. I wouldn't say they pushed the boundaries of modern jazz or even the piano trio with this music. What they did do is contribute a relaxed swinging collection of intelligent diverse compositions that fit nicely into the post bop category but upon closer listening the listener is rewarded with this trios awesome chemistry & interplay with attention to the groove. Check this out & support the art of music. Review: Just what I like - I like this album a lot. Every time I listen to it I discover chord changes I'd not noticed before and marvel at the talent of the players. Top notch!