New York-based guitarist Yotam Silberstein may not be a house hold name in jazz at the moment, but he certainly has become one of the busiest jazz guitarist in New York’s vibrant jazz scene and his first release for the Posi-Tone label, “Next Page” brings a tasty fresh new sound guaranteed to capture your attention. At the age of 21, Israeli-born Silberstein was named the “Israeli jazz player of the year” in 2003, the same year he also released his debut recording “The Arrival” (Fresh Sound Records) marking his arrival as a full fledged member of the jazz world. This album builds upon that first offering turning a ‘new’ page in this young man’s career with a vigorous outing on “Next Page.”
Performing with a quartet comprised of Sam Yahel on the organ, Willie Jones III on the drums and the versatile Chris Cheek on tenor saxophone, the guitarist presents a blend of originals and standards in a ten piece repertoire containing some familiar yet not oft played songs like the Lerner/Loewe “Camelot” classic, “If Ever I Would Leave You,” which are given bri sk new reads resulting in some pretty spectacular musical transformations. With soft organ play from Yahel and the drummer on the brushes, Silberstein delivers gentle chords on the lush Antonio Carlos Jobim score “Ligia” while in stark contrast, Cheek blisters the music with a sax solo leading the band on a boppish romp through Charlie Parker’s “Cheryl” which Silberstein rides with excellent riffs.
Cheek is just magnificent throughout the album starting on “Foolin’ Myself” where the organist provides the meat of music, but the saxophonist weighs in on such other tunes as “Cancao,” “Weekend in Mizpe” and “Jalastra.” But this is not Cheek’s album, it’s Silberstein show and the guitarist makes sure of that with plenty of pronounced play.
Without a doubt, Yotam Silberstein’s “Next Page” is quite an exceptional recording containing all the elements that must be present for a successful recording, excellent charts, great musicianship and an infectious new sound.
Year: 2009
Label: Posi-Tone Records
Artist Web: www.yotamsilberstein.com
