Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Omer Klein: Heart Beats
Omer Klein: Heart Beats
ByMore interesting are the rhythmic numbers that he's created to outline his program of North African and Middle Eastern folk music merged with jazzy ideas. "Middle East Blues" carries an ethnic hue with its exotic harmony and a complex meter. "Yemen," "Niggun" and "5/8 Mantra" stand out as the best of Klein's dozen compositions due to the rhythmic variety that are pumped into each.
Born in Israel, schooled at the New England Conservatory and winner of the Jazz Hoilaart Contest in Belgium as well as the International Chamber Music Competition of New England, Klein combines elements from his native cultural environment with classical training to create varied feelings. He's at his best when churning an appetizing rhythm and applying improvised patterns in careful doses. Keeping ahead of the ordinary element in contemporary jazz, however, means laying out one's best qualities consistently.
Track Listing
Heart Beats; Voices of War; Arak; Yemen; Ship of Fools; Niggun; Alma; 5/8 Mantra; Shalvat Nefesh; Middle East Blues; Remembering; Sun Light.
Personnel
Omer Klein
pianoOmer Klein: piano, drums (1).
Album information
Title: Heart Beats | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Smalls Records
Tags
Comments
PREVIOUS / NEXT
Support All About Jazz
