Duende. It can be translated as spirit from Spanish, but it really refers to that baffling, uplifting feeling that double-bassist, composer and band leader Avishai Cohen really grooves to. "The word has an absolutely delightful sound. It's a feeling that nurtures music!" Duende, for a double bass-piano duo with Nitai Hershkovits. "Between Nitai and me, the connection was so strong, I was afraid another instrument might swallow it up. I needed to hold on to this precious thing." So it was a dialogue. Soon, they were getting on so well, it was like telepathy between the two new collaborators. "The duo is a highly classic and very demanding form. Like, it takes two to tango. You can sound broader, with more space. That's what I feel this record offers: A vaster horizon than what I have managed previously." in the early 1990s, Avishai Cohen built his sound, learnt his trade, in the shadow of cracks like Chick Corea and Andy Gonzalez. After a few albums recorded in New York City, he returned to Tel Aviv and signed two audacious albums with Blue Note Records, 'Aurora' and 'Seven Seas', that broke with the past in a career that seemed to be written in the stars. Once again, Avishai Cohen dares to change his step with this record that favours a double bass-piano formula. "Surprise is a crucial element of life and creative flair. For as long as I can play music, this sense of freedom will guide me." After sharing for several months, they have built their very own sound. They get through three standards including an original take on Criss Cross by Monk. They have also covered three of Avishai's themes that get totally transfigured, and penned four new, inspired compositions. Thirty-five minutes worth of music. "With jazz especially, the older you get the better you put your finger on it. You play fewer notes but project your voice further. This duo illustrates this perfectly. We just recorded our expressions, without any artefacts or acting the virtuoso. Talking with our hearts not our fingers." Message received loud and clear.
A**O
Another Professional Triumph
I believe that I own a copy of every Avishai Cohen project to date. I have replayed some of the material, CD's, so often that I must commend the manufacturer for a good stable product.Avishai Cohen, the composer, bassist, pianist never ceases to amaze me with his insight and the ability to put the best mid-east and U.S. musicians together like a grilled cheese sandwich.
J**.
'Central Park West' alone is worth the price of the ...
'Central Park West' alone is worth the price of the album. '5 stars' on that track, which I listen to often.
N**E
Five Stars
Really enjoying this CD!
S**I
Avishai's talking bass!
My first Cohen album, not a bad album at all considering this is just a piano/bass duet! Avishai's bass playing is no doubt up there with some of the greatest bass players of all time. The album in some areas almost sounds like a trio, this is dude to the excellent playing between these two, they use a lot of percussive playing which introduces a third instrument. This is certainly not my last album by Cohen. He has stolen my attention!
A**Z
ni fu ni fa
Francamente, me esperaba mucho más de este album, poco mas de treinta minutos un poco turbios. No sé si es que al cambiar de productora tambien ha cambiado su esencia, lo cierto es que no me terminan de convencer estas útimas grabaciones que está haciendo en Tel Aviv...
G**O
Un duo insuperabile
Sono di parte! Un duo insuperabile, connubio perfetto tra due grandi musicisti! Alti livelli!
C**5
Magica atmosfera.....
Ho scoperto da poco Cohen, ma ogni cd e' una storia a se e quest'ultimo lavoro in copia con Nitai non sbaglia. Ottima atmosfera, suoni magici del basso e pianoforte uniti alla grande intesa tra i due artisti. Ottimo acquisto.
J**S
Nur schön
Als riesen Avishai Cohen Fan einfach nur schön, wenn auch etwas ruhiger als gewöhnlich
M**Y
AVISHAI EN GRANDE FORME
Un duo (duende) basse-piano convaincant entre un bassiste chevronné excellent instrumentiste et compositeur (Avishai Cohen et un tout jeune pianiste fort prometteur et déjà assez virtuose (Nitai HERSHKOVITS). Tous les deux se sont produits avec bonheur en plus grande formation (dont des cordes) au FERTE JAZZ FESTIVAL.
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