Daniel Ori: So It Goes

There exists a triple point where adult contemporary, modern, and acoustic improvisatory jazz meet and exist together in an equilibrium where none of the three schools dominate the other two. While real, this creative point remains oddly elusive. Enter Israeli bassist Daniel Ori, whose second recording, So It Goes edges ever closer to the desirable goal of modern jazz parity—the perfect meeting of style and substance. Bassist/composer Daniel Ori is successfully divining his way to this constantly moving creative point.

A native of Kfar Saba, Ori joins an ever-growing number of accomplished Israeli jazz musicians that include Avishai Cohen (both of them: bassist and trumpeter), multi-reedist Idit Shner, bassist Omer Avital, and trombonist Avi Lebovich. All bring a Middle Eastern sensibility to that melting pot called jazz. Ori mixes all international jazz genres, African, Latin, and European, deftly forming a refined sound where all of the elements may be identified while the overall reaction is the synthesis of something altogether new.

Ori's band is a sextet employing a guitar (Jeff Miles) and extra percussion (Marcelo Woloski) providing all of the firepower necessary to play across such a wide swath of styles. Wri Gurvich's tart alto saxophone is a fine seasoning to this rhythmically rich collection of Ori originals. The saxophonist is simpatico with the leader both in the head, comping and solo sections of the performances. On "Usul," Gurvich closes in on some bright bop phrasing without ever sounding antique. Ori gets the most out of his two-man percussion section, who with pianist Gabriel Guerrero gently pound out super complex rhythms further enhancing the proceedings.

So It Goes might best be listened to as a single extended piece that has been thoughtfully composed in parts and then assembled in a strange and exciting integral fashion. The beauty of Ori's composition and performance practices is similar to him being one of the best point guards in basketball. He always knows where everyone is at once on the court and is able to arrange them to achieve the greatest effect.