Asaf Harris graduated from the New School in New York in June 2020 and just a few weeks later, in August that year, had returned to his native Israel and was recording his debut album in the Bardo Studios, probably the country’s best recording studio. Normally, the story a young musician has to tell in making such a speedy transition from college to recording studio is of life in the practice room, but not in Harris’ case.

He has been the recipient of prestigious scholarship awards, has experience with film scoring (two award- winning documentaries) and on graduation, was awarded the John Coltrane Award for outstanding performers, composers and improvisors. He’s played festivals and jazz clubs worldwide, and on this evidence has a lot going for him. He is certainly confident and assured with a firmly centred tone and precise articulation. If his solos emerge as statements rather than stories, that surely will come. While there is little to set the performances apart from the myriad of 'good' albums being made today, his compositions do demand attention.

‘The Gate Keeper’ is part programmatic, written about the demonstrations at Netanyahu’s handling of the Coronavirus crisis, with 'found' sounds, Harris’ recordings( made at the protests he attended), which assumes vivid shape alongside the performance. ‘Helen Court’ is again programmatic in intent, about his experiences during the protests and comes as ‘Helen Court 2020 Movement I’, and ‘Helen Court 2020 Movement II’. Other tracks, such as ‘Reconnecting,’ the title track and ‘5 Years Old’ hint a great promise for the future.