People need a hobby to escape the hectic pace of everyday life. The Israeli jazz bassist and composer Avishai Cohen does not shy away from complexity in his music and can therefore be counted among the virtuosos of contemporary jazz. He also has a hobby, which is singing. In 2009 he already released the vocal album Aurora. Where it still sounds jazzy, with Cohen as crooner, ambitions have grown on
… 1970 (his year of birth). Hip soul with a 70s touch and Israeli pop music dominate in own songs, traditionals and a cover of the Beatles. But even as a hobbyist, Cohen doesn't do half work. Soul songs like Song Of Hope and It's Been To Long evoke the best traditions of soul greats like and . The accompaniment is playful and swings like soul should swing. His voice is muffled but lacks some power and charisma. A deserving hobby record that adds little to this impressive jazz oeuvre. (MR)more
