Omer Avital Quintet - Live At Smalls (2010/2014) [Official Digital Download]

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Omer Avital Quintet - Live At Smalls (2010/2014) [Official Digital Download]

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Omer Avital Quintet - Live At Smalls (2010/2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24-bit/48 kHz | Time - 70:48 minutes | 868 MB
Studio Master, Official Digital Download | Artwork: Digital booklet

For my money, Avital is one of the most exciting musicians to come onto the jazz scene in the last 20 years. His live shows are pure joy, with the Israeli-born bassist bobbing, weaving, whooping and playing a rhythmic blur. He’s locked into his music with an intensity and purpose that is rare and beautiful. On Live At Smalls, we catch Avital and his quintet at one of New York City’s best clubs at presenting the next generation of jazz. Before talking about the music, we’ve got to address the band—Avishai Cohen on trumpet, Jason Lindner on piano, Joel Frahm on tenor sax and Jonathan Blake on drums. Each of these artists is fantastic in his own right. Together, they’re on fire. Now, for the music. All eight tracks are Avital originals. They are stunning for their drive, beautiful horn lines and fine improvisation. It’s the whole package. “Theme For A Brighter Future” leads off the recording with a soulful groove. “Magic Carpet” scorches the earth with stinging solos and interplay between Avital, Frahm and Cohen. Avital’s bass intro into “Anthem For Life” shows his deep understanding of soul music—be it Middle Eastern, classical, or the blues-driven American variety. And the closing number, “(…Just Some) Small Time Shit,” leads you back around to a great groove and a laugh with the band singing the song’s title. This is hard-driving jazz with a new soul for a new era. –Frank Alkyer, DownBeat Magazine