Amit Friedman brings his saxophones to tours of the Middle East, Latin America and Jazz Central on this exciting album of originals. He teams up with Amos Hoffman/oud-g, Katia Toobool/p, Gilad Abro/b, Amir Bresler/dr and Rony Iwryn/perc for rhythm an melodic adventures.
His choice of Hoffman’s oud for a number of pieces is a wise one, as the moody strings ad atmosphere to Friedman’s tenor on the dancing “Long Way to Go” and the mix of cultures on the Latin “Blues,” also allowing Abro and Toobool to stretch out on the latter. Claudia Acuna brings some luscious vocals to blend with Hoffman’s guitar on the sensuous “ Momento” while a sweet samba on “Silent Blue” with Tamar Eisenman’s voice is reminiscent of the best of Stan Getz with Astrud Gilberto. The rhythm tam shows it’s kinetic capabilities as it caroms through “”Candombe” with Friedman’s soprano and the driving “Enough is Enough” complemented by Toobool’s piano. The band bears down into an Afro Cuban groove as the percussion gets torrentially exciting on “Love Must Be The Way,” and the delicate side is displayed with the folksy “Shiripiri.” Any tours coming around?!?