Next Page is Yotam Silberstein’s debut release on Posi-Tone Records. Quite the smooth player, Silberstein’s guitar work has a creative flare relatable to Les Paul and a misty blues intonation that recalls of Greg Skaff. Born and raised in Tel-Aviv, Israel, Silberstein plays American style jazz as if he acquired it through osmosis. After serving his duty in the Israeli Army where he was a musical director, arranger and lead guitarist for 3 years, and after the release of his laudable debut record The Arrival on the Fresh Sound New Talent label, he received a scholarship to study at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City where he had first-hand access to American jazz music.
He became a regular on the New York jazz scene performing with the likes of James Moody, Roy Hargrove, and Greg Hutchinson to name a few, and the music on Next Page is fraught with these gentlemen’s influences. This is not to say that Silberstein has forsaken his heritage, but his creative talents lean towards a modern approach to making music and Next Page is all about taking jazz music further along its evolution.
In the recording, Silberstein is joined by Sam Yahel on organ, Willie Jones III on drums, and Chris Cheek on tenor saxophone. They are like-minded musicians playing what they like, and constructing harmonic forms that manifest a pleasing aura like the gently rolling frothy topped waves of “Borsht” which have a likeness to the classy swagger of Steve Herberman. The slow rise implemented by the guitar chords is like watching bread rise while baking in the oven. There is some kind of mystical occurrence going on here that keeps the listener’s ears fixated on every incremental movement happening in these tracks. The sensual stride of Cheek’s saxophone solos in “Foolin’ Myself” can bewitch even a savage soul, and the perky shimmies spackling “Ani Eshtagea” will have that savage dancing a tango on the ballroom floor. The Latin-flavored nuances embellish the track beautifully and keep the listener’s mind activated. The soft, foamy drools of the saxophone along “Cancan” whither with a bedtime feel, and the casual stroll of the guitar chords along “Blues For 007” heightens notes with a bluesy sensibility to take flight. The crimped saxophone lines and sprinting of the guitar chords through “If I Would Leave You” and “Cheryl” are inflated with buoyant skips, and the mellow mood of “Ligia” inspires one to take life a bit slower and enjoy the simple surroundings already there.
Yotam Silberstein creates solid American-style jazz in his compositions. Next Page is loaded with happy moods and classically beautiful tones that inspire one to see life is filled with joyful moments which activate the senses to feel positive
Tracks:
Borsht, Foolin’ Myself, Ani Eshtagea, Cancan, Blues For 007, Weekend In Mizpe, If I Would Leave You, Jalastra, Ligia, Cheryl
Artist’s Website: http://www.yotamsilberstein.com
Reviewed by: Susan Frances
