ZurHub: Countryside Motorways

Israeli flautist Mattan Klein and fellow Jerusalem native guitarist Ezequiel Hezi Jait, based in both Tel Aviv and New York, present a stunning musical portrait on Countryside Motorways, blending the rhythms of Brazil with Israeli folk and classical music while drawing influence from legendary composers such as Hermeto Pascoal and the incomparable Chick Corea. The co-leaders are joined by three other fellow countrymen, including pianist Itay Simhovich, bassist Assaf Hakimi and drummer Dani Benedikt, forming a vibrant quintet known as Zurhub, which is derived from the Hebrew word "Tzur" and the Portuguese word "Hub," meaning "center."

Performing together since 2011, the two leaders founded Zurhub in 2017 and have since specialized in composing wonderful melodic and rhythmically-rich original Brazilian genre music. They have performed across Israel and in other jazz festivals such as in Romania, Denmark and in other parts of the world. Guitarist Hezi Jait is an educator and has performed as a sideman throughout. Co-leader Klein is also a renowned teacher, leader of previous bands such as Spice 'n' Space, and he has recorded in London and elsewhere. Klien draws personal influences from such masters as Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Hubert Laws, Herbie Mann and others.

Their style of Brazilian fusion is introduced by drummer Benedikt on the percussive opener "Social Trust," with a heavy dose of Klien's chops on the flute accompanied well by the guitarist and the background sounds of Simhovich's Fender Rhodes on a splendid intro to the album. Turning to the lighter side of the music, "Overlooked" is one of those beautiful melodic tracks that is truly misnamed, for this is a piece of music that will certainly not be overlooked. It is a warm, graceful piece of music..

The band continues in impressive style with two tracks worth repeating often—the unforgettable "Forget About It" and the pure Brazilian sounds of "Feliz" (Happy), where the leaders begin the song performing a duet on the intro that develops into perhaps the finest piece of the entire session. Two tracks with distinctly different feels yet having deep Brazilian grooves to them are "Departures and Arrivals" and "Do Me A Favel."

Having a slight touch of the Brazilian Choro style is the album's title track, which also happens to be the shortest tune at a mere 3:51 in duration. The band keeps the music light and lovely with the leaders providing the core melodies buzzing and moving to a gentle tempo on the brief but gentle "Bat Ya' Am" followed by the upbeat and lively rhythms of "April is Totally a Blur," where the co-leaders tee off one another while the bassist and drummer provide the formidable background.

Pianist Simhovich starts off the swinging "Making Tidal Waves" with spicy handywork on the Fender Rhodes accompanied by the guitarist's moving solo just before Klein enters the fray with his own moments of swing. The album comes to a close on yet another outstanding composition entitled "Lick Your Toad." While perhaps not being a very recognizable jazz group at the moment, the music on Countryside Motorways is sure to make the talent-rich Zurhub a band to look out for.

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