Middle Eastern sounds and gentle cinematic colour is how the press release describes Israeli tenor saxophonist, composer and educator Asaf Harris' sophomore album I Thought I Was Ready.
Eight originals* inspired by self-reflection on various events that have shaped his life to date. Before actually listening my first reaction was that this is going to be a load of pretentious twaddle.
I couldn't have been more wrong!
What we get is a fine tenor player at the top of his game. A beautiful tone, technique to spare and the ability to swing at the drop a hat. Not 'swing' swing as we know it but very much his own conception combining the pulse of the east with the buzz of the west.
Piano, bass and drums are on the same wavelength as the leader resulting in an album that whilst it may not change the world it won't harm it either. Well worth a listen it's rather good. Lance
*I Thought I Was Ready is all about the difference between feeling prepared and truly being so; I Don't Know What's Inside (but it's got to be good); came from a chance meeting outside of New York's Blue Note; Langa Grove - a forrest of Harris' youth; Climbing Down ?; Routes, Harris' musical beginnings; The Story of is inspired by Israeli musicians Yoni Rechter & Matti Caspi; Toqsim ?; FCB - a natural sense of closure.
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