Longtime friends like trumpeter Avishai Cohen and pianist Yonathan Avishai play with a symbiosis that can only be created over years of musical conversations. For this recording in a richly spacious studio in Lugano, Italy, the two Sabras mix originals with some wonderfully conceived originals, creating moods that lean towards lyrical relaxation.
A take of Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke” features the pianist in a clever and winsome mood, with Cohen deferring most of the time, only adding muted horn at the very end, while the interpretation of John Coltrane’s “Crescent” features his wide open vibrato in a bel canto fashion. Avishai takes a moonlight sonata light to the Israel lullaby “Shir Eyes” while he searches out the dark keys as Cohen lurks around the corner on “Ralph’s New Blues.” Soft and muted puffs by Cohen are light and delicate on “Azalea” and warm glowing sounds from the amigos reflect a deep friendship like King David and Jonathan on “The Opening.” A calm evening with friends that wear like old slippers.