Ben Freidkin: Trial & Error

He may not have the extra-long, arm's length CV just yet, but at 28, Israeli born, Brooklyn-based drummer Ben Freidkin delivers the goods on this briskly charged, live debut recording. Curated from three individual gigs in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv with a host of different players, Freidkin nimbly, knowingly and kinetically explores the myriad shapes the music takes and it is a true pleasure to experience each moment's unique rush with him.

Just press play and let the addictive spell of Trial & Error happen. Be it the vitalizing fusion of Freidkin's "Big City Life;" the uncomplicated muscularity of Miles Davis's "Nardis;" the jump-hop vigor of John Coltrane's "26-2;" or the confidently spiraling, Freidkin-composed flagship track that kicks off the whole affair, Trial & Error does not disappoint.

Let us stay with the title track and listen in as Freidkin navigates his own whereabouts within the sledding schematics, thus creating a formidable, Impulse!-like vibe that gets the blood going. Set into motion by double bassist Gonn Shani's distinctive downtown drive, pianist Nitsan Kolko begins his fluid gymnastics right alongside tenor saxophonist Tal Kalman's blues-worn horn. The track is an eight minute flashback/forward and a very, very cool listen.

Part of the larger appeal of Trial & Error is the pitch perfect, focused ease with which Freidkin, in his role as producer, places the recordings from each of the three Israeli performances to present a late night set that would shine in any city from New York to Tel Aviv. "Nardis," with pianist Moshe Elmakias and Rosa Lea Salamon's dancing double bass, follows flawlessly after the opener, and flows freely into the even more insistent pull of "Running," It is a showcase for all involved, namely a fired-up Freidkin, Kolko and acrobat/bassist Guy Bernfeld. The original quartet takes on Vijay Iyer's alluring "Desiring" while a slightly different lineup funks forward on "Big City Life." "26-2" takes its place in the spotlight, while "Kenny (for Kenny Garrett)," with a flame throwing solo from guitarist Shai Jascek, and Nick Drake's "River Man" more than hold up their end of this wickedly good set.

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