Omer Avital Quintet - Live At Smalls (2010)

Smalls Live: SL0014
http://smallsjazzclub.com/inner.cfm?siteid=372&itemcategory=37888&priorId=0&ProductId=29674

* Omer Avital: bass
* Avishai Cohen: trumpet
* Jason Lindner: piano
* Joel Frahm: tenor saxophone
* Johnathan Blake: drums

- http://www.omeravital.com/projects/omer-avital-quintet/

Recorded live on April 5 & 6, 2010 at Small Jazz Club, Greenwich Willage, NYC.
http://www.smallsjazzclub.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smalls_Jazz_Club

Review
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by Frank Alkyer
http://www.downbeat.com/default.asp?sect=editorspicks201101#3

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.