Title - Play Space
Artist - Omer Leshem
For those unaware, New York-based saxophonist and composer Omer Leshem’s third studio album, Play Space (which will be released on September 27th, 2024 with the London-based label, Ubuntu Music), features his quintet’s distinct and fresh sound.
Originally from Herzliya, Israel, Leshem has been mentored by internationally renowned musicians, including Sam Yahel, David Binney, Tony Malaby, and Chris Cheek. With a strong upbringing in classical and Israeli music, Leshem’s composition style is influenced by a wide range of genres and concepts, including European classical harmonies, Mediterranean grooves and lyricism, and contemporary free jazz.
Here on Play Space, Leshem’s compositional style reveals a unique mixture of lyricism, warmth, energetic grooves, and Middle Eastern influences. The band’s ecstatic and sensitive performance fill the album with both powerful and highly touching moments.
1. Twilight Hymn
2. Take an Advil
3. David’s Devastating Journey
4. Cape Town Swag
5. The Heroic Era of No Consequences
6. Pull the Donkey
7. Mulberry Garden
8. Go You Maniac
9. Back Home
This wonderful recording opens on the flourishing Twilight Hymn and the skedaddle of Take an Advil, and they are followed by the luxuriant David’s Devastating Journey and then we get the playfully joyful Cape Town Swag.
Along next is the languishing beauty found within The Heroic Era of No Consequences and the low slung foot tapper Pull the Donkey, and they are in turn backed by the late night, smokey underground jazz cafe vibe of Mulberry Garden, the collection rounding out on the furtive Go You Maniac, closing on the ornately sculpted Back Home.
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