REVIEW: Roy Mor 'After The Real Thing'

Pianist, philosopher, engineer ... not exactly a combination that screams 'jazz'. Or is it? Because if there is one genre of music that sounds like higher mathematics and physics to some, with its complicated chord changes and rhythmic acrobatics, it is jazz. On paper, the jazz pianist Roy Mor from Israel has the right jazz profile, in practice too, as it turns out!

© Yossi Zwecker

© Yossi Zwecker

Together with Myles Sloniker on double bass and Itay Morchi on drums, he recently released the album After The Real Thing . A fairly classic jazz album that is firmly rooted in the period after the pop and before free jazz. So do not expect provoking eardrum conditions, nerve-racking improvisations, electronics or daring noise influences.

We do get sparkling and very melodic compositions in which especially the sometimes oriental sounding guest contributions by guitar and former player Amos Hoffman offer a solid added value. It was therefore a strong move to open one of our favorite songs on the album with the somewhat atypical The Echo Song . On one track ( Nikanor ) the trio is also joined by Davy Lazar on flugelhorn.

Roy Mor and his comrades swing and anoint, twist and seduce and here and there let you be amazed by their virtuosity. All, however, without disruption and / or rebellious unruliness. A bit obedient but damn beautiful.