BONES - Haberdashery
Leo Records CD LR 793
Ziv Taubenfeld, bass; Shay Hazan, double bass; Nir Sabag, drums
Recorded at the Bimhuis, Amsterdam, Jan10 2016
Although there are strong expressions of improvisation in this album from a trio of Israeli musicians (Bones) all pieces are composed by Taubenfeld and arranged by the band. The leader’s bass clarinet is treacly, inviting sigh-like, pensive stroking from the bow on the bass, and distant, storm-like menacing from the echoing drums.
Both Taubenfeld and Hazan have emigrated from their original instruments: clarinet and electric bass respectively, and with the adroit interventions of Sabag’s drums the trio engineers a smooth yet atmospheric soundscape. Significantly, there is no chord instrument and this absence lends its weight to the almost genteel ambience.
Taubenfeld’s writing is elaborate and resourceful and the trio’s extemporization is ingenious, the created sound space offering much room to move or, quietly, to chill. That dichotomy is perhaps what lends the music its sense of rhythm, by virtue of its contrasts and therefore the tautness that it exhibits.
Bones’ music is always vibrant and often beautiful: where these factors seem to pull away from each other, the trio resolves the disparity thoughtfully, with both rhythmic and melodious intercession. The trio’s debut album, CD LR 743 (May 2015) was outstanding and this is more than an apposite echo. Very fine music indeed.
“This album is dedicated to those who-------surrender to the mystery and follow their hearts.” (From the sleeve notes)
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham
Leo Records CD LR 793
Ziv Taubenfeld, bass; Shay Hazan, double bass; Nir Sabag, drums
Recorded at the Bimhuis, Amsterdam, Jan10 2016
Although there are strong expressions of improvisation in this album from a trio of Israeli musicians (Bones) all pieces are composed by Taubenfeld and arranged by the band. The leader’s bass clarinet is treacly, inviting sigh-like, pensive stroking from the bow on the bass, and distant, storm-like menacing from the echoing drums.
Both Taubenfeld and Hazan have emigrated from their original instruments: clarinet and electric bass respectively, and with the adroit interventions of Sabag’s drums the trio engineers a smooth yet atmospheric soundscape. Significantly, there is no chord instrument and this absence lends its weight to the almost genteel ambience.
Taubenfeld’s writing is elaborate and resourceful and the trio’s extemporization is ingenious, the created sound space offering much room to move or, quietly, to chill. That dichotomy is perhaps what lends the music its sense of rhythm, by virtue of its contrasts and therefore the tautness that it exhibits.
Bones’ music is always vibrant and often beautiful: where these factors seem to pull away from each other, the trio resolves the disparity thoughtfully, with both rhythmic and melodious intercession. The trio’s debut album, CD LR 743 (May 2015) was outstanding and this is more than an apposite echo. Very fine music indeed.
“This album is dedicated to those who-------surrender to the mystery and follow their hearts.” (From the sleeve notes)
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham