Omer Klein: Personal Belongings

Rating: ★★★★

Record and Artist Details

Musicians:

Amir Bresler (d)
Omer Klein (p)
Haggai Cohen-Milo (b)

Label:

Warner Music

October/2021

Media Format:

CD

Catalogue Number:

10568693

RecordDate:

2020

The aptly-titled Personal Belongings originated close to the heart of the gifted Frankfurt-resident Israeli pianist Omer Klein, being a half-dozen solo pieces reflecting the isolations and precious memories of the past disruptive year, on a 10-track repertoire also including contributions from his long-time bass partner Haggai Cohen Milo, and drummer Amir Bresler.

Klein has a beautiful touch, often reminiscent of the light-stepping springiness of Chick Corea on Latin rhythms, while his inventiveness in the nuanced repetition of looping phrases suggests perceptive attention to Brad Mehldau – and in his attachment to song forms, drawn from both western and middle eastern sources, he's an improviser practising the art on very inviting materials. The pretty elisions, subtle dynamics, and steadily flowing motion of the unaccompanied opener, 'Kavana', segue without a break into the surging trio dance of 'Baghdad Blues', with Klein repeatedly opening improv choruses in fresh figures, each unfolded with a crystal clarity. 'The Flower And The Seed' celebrates his children in the jigging playfulness of its later stages, 'Good Hands' is very Corea-like, 'Najara' (named after a 16th century Jewish poet) is a haunting melody developing in such understated nuances as to sound as if it's still and moving at the same time, 'Shake It' is a rocking chordal groove over a drums shuffle, and 'Quarantined with You' is a slow piece of stride-piano of wistful mischievousness. At times, this is as private a session as the title suggests, but the invitation to listen in is always there.

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