All In

4-STARS A retro take on the classic early '60s organ group is provided by a stellar quartet of hardbop-minded Israeli musicians led by guitarist Gil Livni on All In. Joined by Amit Friedman on tenor sax, Yonatan Rosen on drums and Yonatan Riklis on organ, Livni and his downhome crew conjure up grit and grease on the Grant Green tribute "Granted" and the loping, bluesy title track, sparked by Friedman's robust tones and earthy appeal. Livni has the requisite bluesiness to complement this gritty vibe. They burn a blue streak coming right out of the gate on "Wonder Woman," recalling the classic "Cookbook" from 1967's The George Benson Cookbook. And they recast the Beatles' "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" as a funky boogaloo. There's more rapid-fire exchanges on the uptempo "Red Bird," then some relief from the burn arrives on the relaxed ballads "I Thought About You" and "Since I Fell For You." They close it out with another earthy retro offering in "Gentleman's Blues." Though they hail from Tel Aviv, this group sounds like Newark, circa 1963.