Search - Yoron Israel and Organic :: Basic Traneing

Yoron Israel's CD "Basic Traneing", is a musical tribute to artistry of John Coltrane. The recording features Yoron Israel and Organic, an ensemble in the tradition of the innovative Hammond B-3 jazz ensembles, which has been extended with added voice of vibraphonist, marimbist, Jay Hoggard. As Yoron explains "Jay and I have been talking about a group like this for years, taking a page from the Grant Green/Bobby Hutcherson collaborations as well as from the work unsung hero, vibraphonist Johnny Lytle. In addition to Jay Hoggard, the CD features guitarist Ed Cherry, and organist Kyle Koehler, who are regular members of "Organic". Saxophonist Bill Pierce and percussionist Ernesto Diaz round out "Basic Traneing" on selected tracks. As surprising as the instrumentation is the choice of John Coltrane compositions as a focal point. Additionally Israel includes five original works in this collection of eleven tracks. Looking for a way to expand upon the music normally associated with organ groups, Yoron took Dr. Lonnie Smith's Afro-Blue recording as a sign of the positive results that could be achieved by putting music created and inspired by Coltrane into this context. "Sayeeda?s Song Flute" captures the seamless blend of Organic's individual voices, and includes a soprano saxophone solo that testifies to Bill Pierce's mastery of the straight horn. Pierce is on tenor for "Like Sonny" and the propulsive cushion he receives is a tribute to Israel's gift for making the beat breathe. In their extended solos and eights on "Impressions", guitarist Ed Cherry and Jay Hoggard find something fresh to say on this standard modal form, while organist Kyle Koehler's coda is also notable. The organist holds the reflective center of "Lonnie's Lament", after a poetic introductory drum statement. "Afro-Blue", the Mongo Santamaria classic forever identified with Coltrane, is indicative of Israel's vision for on marimba, along with Israel's energetic drumming. Yoron's own compositions each add a memorable mood to the program. The haunting "Her All" was completed only days before the recording of the CD. Originally inspired by Coltrane's "Naima", as the first few chords indicate; but then end result wound up quite different. The other Israel originals provide distinct takes on the blues. "Better Days" was recently composed on the road, in a moment of uplifting hope at the end of an exhausting trip. "Tippin", written a year or two earlier, displays a sophisticated beat that only a percussionist who has mastered brushes can generate. The more straight-ahead "Mr. J.C.", was originally an interlude the band employed between solos on Coltrane's, "Mr. P.C." and became a tune in itself. The title track, with Pierce on tenor, is by guitarist Ronald Muldrow, who has featured Israel on several of his own recent CDs. The drummer found this waltz very haunting while incorporating a tasteful musical reference to "Giant Steps". It complements and sums up "BASIC TRANEING" perfectly.