Avishai Cohen - Arvoles (2019) [Hi-Res]

‘Arvoles’ (‘Trees’ in the ancient Ladino-language).

Full of original instrumental compositions, and one traditional song written over the last couple of years. The music’s been clearly identified with his own unique and defining DNA. “It’s impossible to escape from myself, even if I would want to.” And so his dynamic influences remain. There are traces of classical music and Afro-Caribbean rhythms. There’s bebop and hard bop, swing and hiphop. But with every new album his own personality shines through more emphatically. ‘Recorded with his core trio, drummer Noam David (Israel) and pianist Elchin Shirinov (Azerbaijan) both magnificent musicians and composers in their own right. ‘’Most of these compositions seem to deal with looking back. There’s even horns in there, Björn Samuelsson (trombone) and Anders Hagberg (flute) which I hadn’t included in my writing for some time. You could say I’m going back to basics, but with the maturity and vision that the last couple of decades have brought me. Nostalgia at its best is the strongest, most romantic, sincere, bitter-sweet feeling. And I agree it’s all over the record, with compositions like ‘Childhood’, ‘New York ‘90’s’ and ‘Nostalgia’.

I had the happiest of childhoods, and I’m very proud I could include one of my mother’s paintings on the front cover of the album. She’s an artist in her own right, and it just made things come a full circle.

And so once again Avishai Cohen is able to present us with a masterful chapter, full of spirit, joy, and the pure pleasure of playing and listening together.

Avishai Cohen, double bass
Elchin Shirinov, piano
Noam David, drums
Björn Samuelsson, trombone (tracks 1,4,6,9,10)
Anders Hagberg, flute (tracks 1,4,6,9.10)