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Yuval Amihai: My 90s Summer

By Dan Bilawsky
June 5, 2022
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This fourth album from

Yuval Amihai

guitar
b.1981

" data-original-title="" title="">Yuval Amihai takes inspiration from the halcyon days of a summer long past, recalling formative experiences of a youth spent in the desert city of Beer Sheva in Israel. But it also draws heavily on the guitarist's globetrotting as an adult, looking toward years spent in France and a new life in New York. A work supported by those broad interests and influences spanning decades, My 90s Summer is nevertheless a remarkably focused date showcasing a talent deserving greater recognition.

Leading a quartet that features piano heavyweight

David Kikoski

piano
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">David Kikoski and the magically malleable rhythm combination of bassist

Eric Wheeler

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Eric Wheeler and drummer

Jeremy Dutton

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeremy Dutton, Amihai finds a place of strength and comfort from which to operate. Opening on the title track, things are sunny as can be. Amihai and Kikoski (on Fender Rhodes) speak to promise and possibility in their respective stands, Wheeler and Dutton lay down (and vary) a straight and solidly grooving foundation, and two guests— flutist

Itai Kriss

flute

" data-original-title="" title="">Itai Kriss and tenor saxophonist

Julieta Eugenio

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Julieta Eugenio—paint brightly on backgrounds. The follow-up—"MEDB (Middle Eastern Desert Blues)"—speaks to arid allure before upping the intensity. Amihai and Kikoski both rise to the occasion, Dutton drives the proceedings while Wheeler steers, and Kriss and trumpeter

Wayne Tucker

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Tucker add seesawing sentiments and shifting tides.

Eschewing standards and covers of any sort, Amihai follows those first two originals with six more that continue to highlight his gifts as a composer. Things simmer over the heat from Wheeler's slick stick work on "Gwen's Groove." Tenderness leads quickly to pure joy on "Song for Sacha." Optimism powers the upbeat "Smiles." And weighted bass and drums anchor "Yitgaber," a Hebraic happening in sound and substance. Then it all comes to a close with "Coming Through," a charmer featuring Kikoski's blithesome and bluesy piano, Amihai's forward-thinking finger work and Wheeler's dancing bass; and "Saturday Afternoon," which allows its architects to bask in the glimmer and glow of contentment. With a modernist's sensibility and a melodist's (he)art, Yuval Amihai clearly hits his mark with My 90s Summer.

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Track Listing

My 90s Summer; MEDB (Middle Eastern Desert Blues); Gwen's Groove; Song for Sacha; Smiles; Yitgaber; Coming Through; Saturday Afternoon.

Personnel

Yuval Amihai

guitar

David Kikoski

piano

Eric Wheeler

bass

Jeremy Dutton

drums

Additional Instrumentation

Itai Kriss: flute (1, 2, 6); Julieta Eugenio: tenor saxophone (1, 6); Wayne Tucker: trumpet (2, 6).

Album information

Title: My 90s Summer | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Fresh Sound Records

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