Sunrise

WOW. As a leading jazz instrumentalist in the Israeli Jazz scene, Amit Friedman never ceases to amaze. The sophistication Amit brings to his compositions are fantastic. On the second track "Or", Hebrew for light, really shines through with a comfortably paced groove. it also really enlightens the listener to the influence which the music of Sonny Rollins has had on Friedman's playing style. "Ups & Downs" is a fantastic piece featuring Amos Hoffman's virtuosic Oud playing and really emphasizes the collaborative efforts brought to the table by the variety of artists on the album. "You Must Go" has been a standard piece in Friedman's repertoire for some time now, and is a fantastic piece, incorporating both the string quartet and the masterful talents of percussionist Rony Iwryn. It starts off slowly, and utilizing both a piano solo by Mor and the string quartet builds up to the climactic vocal chorus with the band chanting "You Must Go!" the words of which memorialize the words of the safari guide during a run in with some lions while taking a break from a tour in South Africa. The final track, while a reprisal of the opening composition, incorporates the smooth vocals of Tamar Eisenman, who adds a whole new dimension of emotion to the piece. The perfect ending to such an accomplishment of an album. This album is a "Must Have" in my book!