Yosef Gutman Levitt – Soul Song

Soul Song

The latest release form Jerusalem-based bassist Yosef Gutman Levitt finds him collaborating with Benin-born guitarist Lionel Loueke and between them, with the addition of Omri Mor on piano and Ofri Nehemya on percussion, they stew up a scintillating and sun-struck combination of ringing, gentle jazz and percussive African highlife that can only make you smile.

Sunshine pours out of these fourteen tracks, and although they were all penned by Yosef with assistance from producer Gilad Ronen, the input from the rest of the quartet is beyond essential. Soul Song‘s gentle, summery vibe is highlighted by Lionel’s spidery guitar and the deft percussion that sits supporting all the other activity.

A flowing rush that is full of light, with Omri’s piano as sweet and light as you would want. You have that sense of an unfurling world, but one with which you only have the most fleeting understanding and a lot of that is negative and destructive. It feels as though Yosef wishes to use this set of pieces to put a wholly other perspective of Jerusalem across to the world and it paints such a positive image.

Even though these tunes were recorded last summer, they hint at a positivity that is missing from so much Israeli reportage and you kind of wish that this is the music that people would turn to, showing that life and love is created and combined there. A contemplative connection highlighting a union that could bring peace if people would just listen. The mood does change, but it is always upbeat and although ostensibly a jazz quartet, they are never trapped, Lionel’s guitar always hinting at an African connection and when a solo is ushered in carefully, regardless of who, the others leave plenty of room to enjoy.

The sense of movement, of passing through a landscape, refreshingly new, embracing everything through which we travel and the musicians allow in space and light to better reflect that journey and the pieces unfold accordingly. The group seems happy to inhabit these African-influenced pieces with a real joy and the gentle wash of cymbals is integral to the silvery sparkle reflected in temple roofs, the sun a constant companion. Some tracks prance with a thrill to be alive and in others the sudden rush of piano is like a summer shower, the drums somehow evoking that sensation of rushing through wet streets, soaked but alive.

Although these pieces are Yosef’s babies, he is happy to sit back and watch them fly, happy to see his compadres undertake solos in turn while he stretches and smooths things in the background. As an album, Soul Song is a thing of rare joy, the pieces putting an arm around you and guiding you though this unexpected place. You could do worse than allow these pieces a glowing moment in your life.

-Mr Olivetti-