Ori Trio Kaplan Gongol CD

Ori Kaplan Percussion Ensemble: Ori Kaplan (alto saxophone); Andrew Bemkey (piano); Geoff Mann (mandolin, drums, djun-djun); Susie Ibarra (drums, timpani, gong, balafon, kullintang, percussion).

Despite its moniker, the Ori Kaplan Percussion Ensemble consists of only two percussionists, piano, and the alto saxophone of the leader. Kaplan is a great player, with a full tone and the ability to play both inside and out. But, as impressive as his playing is, the compositions on this album are at least as strong. In the tradition of Ellington and Sun Ra, Kaplan composes to the ample strengths of his band members. Because the two percussionists (Susie Ibarra and Geoff Mann) utilize a wide array of percussion in addition to trap drums (Mann even plays mandolin), there is a wide palette of tones for Kaplan to draw from, and the strong left hand of pianist Andrew Bemkey obviates the presence of an actual bass player. The music itself displays a strong kinship to the great Impulse label recordings of Alice Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders without ever sounding derivative, in that various world music elements are incorporated, and the music is performed with drive and spirit without ever descending into free jazz caterwauling. Although the soloing may incorporate more avant-garde techniques, it's all about passion, not noisemaking. These are well-written tunes, with plenty of room for the players, but the CD never becomes a showcase for any one player; this truly is an ensemble recording. Ori Kaplan is proving himself to be quite the double threat as both a gifted player and great writer. Gongol is a fantastic and imaginative album from this young saxophonist/composer. ~ Sean Westergaard

Avant Jazz;Fusion Of Israeli, Arabic+North African Sounds

Recorded at the Knitting Factory, New York, New York on October 9 & 10, 2000.

Personnel: Ori Kaplan (alto saxophone); Geoff Mann (mandolin, drums); Susie Ibarra (balafon, drums, timpani, percussion, gong).

Recording information: Knitting Factory Main Space (10/09/2000/10/10/2000).CMJ (5/14/01, p.27) - "...His compositions are often challenging, featuring acrobatic opening vamps before the group open things up....The dual drum/percussion attack is a potent rhythnic commbo..."