Yotam Silberstein – Standards

Ah, standards! Since the emergence of this jazz CDO*, they’ve been something of a toolbox. Sometimes adored, sometimes disowned for being harmonic musical straitjackets, but always current and contemporary, they are often a source of inspiration and breathing.

This is the choice Yotam Silberstein made for his new project, « Standards » (JoJo Records/Socadisc).

After recording his most recent albums, which consisted almost exclusively of his own compositions, the Israeli guitarist, who has been based in New York for almost twenty years, has indulged himself by recording titles he loves and reveres, described as “songs with strong melodic potential” rather than true jazz “standards”.

For the sublime and splendid success of this undertaking, Y. Silberstein called on timeless jazz greats such as veterans Billy Hart (drums – 83 years old) and, on two tracks, George Coleman (tenor-sax – 88 years old – John Coltrane’s replacement with Miles Davis in 1963!), as well as John Patitucci (double bass – ex-Chick Corea).

As for the music, it flows from the source of themes written by Joe Sample, Richard Rodgers, Tommy Flanagan, Miles Davis and Victor Young (cf. the imperishable “Stella By Starlight“)..

If, on six of the eight tracks chosen, the leader has opted for the particularly intimate and more personal guitar-double bass-drums formula, it’s to better invoke/evoke, with melodic delicacy and a spontaneous sense of instrumental phrasing, brilliant and historic inspirers such as Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell and Jim Hall.

And let’s not forget John Patitucci‘s elegant, inspired fluidity, Billy Hart‘s rhythmic delicacy and suppleness, and George Coleman‘s ever-powerful sound.

A little gem and a fine lesson in jubilant swing and playful melodies!