Alon Nechushtan: Words Beyond (2011)

GLENN ASTARITA,

Glenn Astarita

Senior Contributor since 1997

Longtime contributor to AAJ and Downbeat, Jazz Review, EjazzNews, Radio DirectX.

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Published: May 20, 2011

Track review of "Spring Soul Song"

Pianist Alon Nechushtan is in the thick of things, amid a vibrant New York City jazz culture that often spawns deviating tangents and inventive ideologies. Indeed, the pianist reveals astounding technical faculties and a far-reaching approach to composition. Nechushtan's jazz-klezmer band TALAT, amid numerous forays into modern jazz and unconventional settings, intermittently gels to the beat of a markedly different drummer

The program conveys Nechushtan's unbounded vision, as he overhauls the tried and true. With the musicians' pristine mode of execution abetted by precision-oriented passages, emotive dialogues and demanding time signatures, they impart a passionate stance and occasionally surge the sinuous flows into the upper stratosphere.

They temper the proceedings on "Spring Soul Song," which is fabricated on ballad-based overtones and a subtle jazz-waltz motif. Here, Nechushtan emits a glistening effect atop the venerable rhythm section's crisp and fluid accompaniment. Moreover, the pianist summons a cheery panorama via a few sharp U-turns and undulating chord clusters. His uplifting storyline, effortless phraseology and acute penchant for suspense are enhanced by zinging harmonics.

Words Beyond is, to a large extent, miles beyond customary piano trio fare, when viewed from a consortium of divergent perspectives.

Personnel: Alon Nechushtan: piano; Francois Moutin: bass; Dan Weiss: drums.

Record Label: Buckyball Records