Search - Danny Zamir :: Children of Israel

A great work to rival the Masada Quartet.

Douglas T Martin | Alpharetta, GA USA | 06/27/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"That's right - Danny Zamir & Satlah's "Children of Israel" ranks up there with all ten of the Zorn/Douglas/Cohen/Baron Masada recordings - from "Alef" to "Yod". On the previous Satlah recording, the live "Exodus", the Satlah trio was showing how it could merge beautiful melodies and fiery soloing with a solid, impassioned rhythm section. "Dynamic" is the best word to this trio when they're cooking. On "Children of Israel" there's more of the same, except this time the material is mostly reworkings of Israeli classic songs performed with an enthusiastic, almost martial beat. But what puts this recording above "Exodus" are Danny Zamir's arrangements for an accompanying five-piece sax section (made at Zorn's request). The five saxes support the trio, so it never turns into six-sax blowing session. And the arrangements are amazing - the harmonies will floor you. The best example of this is in the tune "Re'ach Tapuach Odem Shani" which has an amazingly beautiful arrangement. Zorn brings his alto to "Ma Yafim Haleilot", otherwise the other saxes are Marty Erlich and Ned Rothenberg on altos, Paul Shapiro and Anat Cohen on tenors and Doug Wieselman on baritone. Danny Zamir takes soprano and alto sax solo honors and is more-than-ably supported by Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz on bass and Kevin Zubek on drums. If you're a Masada fan, don't miss this one."