Dick Metcalf, Improvijazzation Nation
An absolutely splendid high-energy jazz guitarist, Rotem has (of course) been reviewed in these pages before (issue # 148), where he got high marks from my ears! On this most current release, which will hit the streets in July 2017, he and his cohorts give you one of the most mellow sets you’ll hear this year! The album is in “pre-order” stage right now, so you won’t be able to sample great compositions like the down & gritty “Reconstruction” (I’ll come back & add the links in when the samples go HOT)… I just loved the drum work from Colin Stranahan on this tune, and Haggai Cohen Milo’s bass is superb. If it’s “laid-back & classic” you want to hear, you’ll definitely dig “Over The Rainbow”, with mellow vocals from Gracie Terzian… one of the coolest covers of this song I’ve ever listened to! There are eleven great songs, clocking in at 38 minutes, and my pick for personal favorite is the 4:47 “Sun Song”… great interplay between the players on this tune, and Rotem’s guitar is smooth as silk. I give Rotem and his musical pals a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98 for this fine jazz aural adventure. Get more information about this very interesting player on Rotem’s website.