Yotam Silberstein & Ron Carter – Duets

Simply titled “Duets,” this album by Israeli guitarist Yotam Silberstein and veteran double bassist Ron Carter truly embraces a sense of simplicity.

Not that the two musicians’ playing lacks sophistication, but from the very first notes, there’s a distinct sense of melody—both in the chosen themes and in the warm sound of the two instruments, beautifully recorded at the historic Van Gelder Studio, a place Carter has been familiar with for several decades.

No pedal effects for the guitar, which displays a sumptuous tone in single notes, chords, or arpeggios, occasionally employing luminous harmonics. On some unconventional standards and two original compositions, Silberstein offers improvisations that all tell a story, and his virtuosity—as well as the frequent speed of his phrasing—is never for show. Ron Carter accompanies his partner with a solid walking bass firmly anchored in the groove, thereby lending weight—without any negative connotations—to the duo’s musical dialogue, while treating himself to brief solos here and there.

There is no generational conflict in this collaboration, which brings together a guitarist in his forties and an octogenarian jazz star who has played with everyone, including Miles Davis and—another guitarist—Jim Hall, to whom this CD pays tribute and who is one of Silberstein’s main inspirations.

The latter has already enjoyed a distinguished career playing with bandleaders of the caliber of James Moody, Roy Hargrove or Kenny Barron, as well as under his own name. Following a recent trio project with John Pattitucci and Billy Hart, Silberstein has chosen to explore the duo format with a musician whose career he has long admired —a format that particularly showcases his talents as a six-string stylist.

And Ron Carter clearly takes great pleasure in supporting the guitarist. A fine achievement, then, that will appeal not only to guitar fans, but also to lovers of jazz that defies fleeting trends and stands firmly within a tradition it beautifully carries forward.