Amit Friedman - Unconditional Love (2021 Origin Records)

Saxophonist and composer Amit Friedman is a guiding light in the Israeli jazz scene. His inspiringly lyrical compositions are arranged with his group of master musicians in mind and are rooted solidly in the jazz tradition, along with rich influences of the Middle East interwoven throughout. In the liner notes to "Unconditional Love," Amit recounts the story of his late father taking him, as a young teen, to New York and a night at the Blue Note. Implied is a great sense of gratitude for all of those influencing his life, and with the album's dedication to his father, offers the inspiration behind this collection of performances. Between the fiery "Home At Last," the subtle Bossa, "Alma," with vocals and lyrics by Brazilian vocalist Joca Perpignan, "Rill-Rool," the sweeping duo with pianist Tom Oren, the hard-swinging "Blues for Jackito," or the one cover, the melodic "Junk" by Paul McCartney, Friedman displays a deep connection to 'the moment,' his audience, and those who inspire him. "...Friedman's "Sunrise" is one of those rare albums that I want to blast from the rooftops, convinced that if the whole damn world could just hear it, the planet would be a much happier place." - DAVE SUMNER, BIRD IS THE WORM

1 Home at Last 8:13

2 Mal-Mal 4:51

3 Name Droppin' 7:26

4 Unconditional Love 6:43

5 Rill-Rool 5:23

6 Blues For Jackito 5:21

7 Alma 2:56

8 Sunset 6:28

9 Stride by Stride 3:34

10 Junk 3:33

All music by Amit Friedman, except (10) Paul McCartney

Lyrics by: (7) Joca Perpignan, (9) Stavit Allweis

Amit Friedman - Tenor & Soprano Sax

Tom Oren - Piano

Gilad Abro - Bass

Yonatan Rosen - Drums

Amos Hoffman - Oud (8,9)

Rony Iwryn - Percussion (7,8,9)

Doron Talmon - Vocal (9)

Joca Perpignan- Vocal (7)

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Eyal Talmudi Quintet - Even If (2018)

One of Israel’s busiest reed players and band leaders in the world/jazz/indie scene, Eyal Talmudi has been touring with Balkan Beat Box, Kutiman Orchestra and Oy Division for the past decade and working with other projects including Malox and Time Groove. Influenced by music including folk, punk and jazz, Talmudi brings his creativity and groove to everything he plays. 

The album recorded in one amazing and creative session at Kichastudios Israel by "MOMO" Uri Barak. Let the music take you to a trip between psychedelic and spiritual jazz to African groove. 

The debut single from the Eyal Talmudi Quintet's debut album 'Even If' is an Afrobeat tune that is both influenced by and dedicated to Fela Kuti, not only one of the most dedicated fighters in the civil rights movement but also a musician who brought the Afrobeat genre to the forefront of world music. 'Fela on My Mind' was written by Eyal Talmudi and Sefi Zisling in the studio along with the rest of the band.

1. Ayalon Zafon 05:48

2. Fela on My Mind 05:36

3. For Smoking 05:31

4. Gili and the Jets 06:16

5. Stam Lo 02:46

6. Even If 03:59

7. If Even 04:16

8. When I Was 17 03:37

9. Lo Stam 10:08

Eyal Talmudi - tenor saxophone

Sefi Zisling - trumpet

Uzi Feinerman - guitar

Gilad Abro - double bass

Aviv Cohen - drums