2007 Arik Ben Kalifa & Mogador - Voices Of Eli [MP3, 320 kbps]

Jazzis:
Israeli bassist / composer Arik Ben Kalifa spent six years in the US studying upright bass with William Bettes and electric bass with Stanley Clarke while playing with local bands. Upon his return to Israel in 2004 Arik formed the Magador quintet with his musical partner, guitarist Guy Ramon and with three young and very talented musicians: Amiram Granot (saxophones & flute), Tomer Mezamer (keyboards) and Stas Zilberman (drums). The band recorded a demo album in 2004 and later this, their debut album, which to me is a major surprise, considering the fact that it is one of the best Fusion albums I’ve heard in a long time. The music, composed mostly by Arik (with a couple of tunes co-composed with Guy) is superbly melodic, incorporating the best Fusion traditions with subtle Middle-Eastern motifs, which is not surprising considering Arik’s cultural legacy - his Moroccan-born father was a traditional oud player. Each of the tunes on the album provides a great melodic basis for the improvisations by the band members and the album offers plenty of excellent solos. Driven by Arik’s pulsating bass lines, the music is full of joy and charm, a real listening pleasure. The sophisticated melodies and the brilliant performances turn this album into something that deserves to be heard and admired, as it is as good, if not better, as any other Fusion album recorded by world’s top players. Hearing stuff like this makes me proud to be an Israeli.

Bass, Producer – Arik Ben Kalifa
Drums – Stas Zilberman
Electric Guitar, Co-producer – Guy Ramon
Keyboards – Tomer Mezamer
Saxophone, Flute – Amiram Granot