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Ben Freidkin: Trial & Error

By Mike Jurkovic
December 17, 2022
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He may not have the extra-long, arm's length CV just yet, but at 28, Israeli born, Brooklyn-based drummer

Ben Freidkin

drums
b.1994

" data-original-title="" title="">Ben Freidkin delivers the goods on this briskly charged, live debut recording. Curated from three individual gigs in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv with a host of different players, Freidkin nimbly, knowingly and kinetically explores the myriad shapes the music takes and it is a true pleasure to experience each moment's unique rush with him.

Just press play and let the addictive spell of Trial & Error happen. Be it the vitalizing fusion of Freidkin's "Big City Life;" the uncomplicated muscularity of

Miles Davis

trumpet
1926 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Miles Davis's "Nardis;" the jump-hop vigor of

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane's "26-2;" or the confidently spiraling, Freidkin-composed flagship track that kicks off the whole affair, Trial & Error does not disappoint.

Let us stay with the title track and listen in as Freidkin navigates his own whereabouts within the sledding schematics, thus creating a formidable, Impulse!-like vibe that gets the blood going. Set into motion by double bassist

Gonn Shani

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Gonn Shani's distinctive downtown drive, pianist

Nitsan Kolko

piano
b.1997

" data-original-title="" title="">Nitsan Kolko begins his fluid gymnastics right alongside tenor saxophonist

Tal Kalman

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Tal Kalman's blues-worn horn. The track is an eight minute flashback/forward and a very, very cool listen.

Part of the larger appeal of Trial & Error is the pitch perfect, focused ease with which Freidkin, in his role as producer, places the recordings from each of the three Israeli performances to present a late night set that would shine in any city from New York to Tel Aviv. "Nardis," with pianist

Moshe Elmakias

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Moshe Elmakias and Rosa Lea Salamon's dancing double bass, follows flawlessly after the opener, and flows freely into the even more insistent pull of "Running," It is a showcase for all involved, namely a fired-up Freidkin, Kolko and acrobat/bassist

Guy Bernfeld

bass, electric

" data-original-title="" title="">Guy Bernfeld. The original quartet takes on

Vijay Iyer

piano
b.1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Vijay Iyer's alluring "Desiring" while a slightly different lineup funks forward on "Big City Life." "26-2" takes its place in the spotlight, while "Kenny (for Kenny Garrett)," with a flame throwing solo from guitarist Shai Jascek, and Nick Drake's "River Man" more than hold up their end of this wickedly good set.

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Track Listing

Trial & Error; Nardis, Running; Desiring; Big City Life; 26-2; Kenny (for Kenny Garrett); River Man.

Personnel

Ben Freidkin

drums

Additional Instrumentation

Nitsan Kolko: piano (1, 3-6); Moshe Elmakias: piano (2, 7, 8); Gonn Shani: double bass (1, 4, 6); Rosa Lea Salamon: double bass (2, 7, 8); Guy Bernfeld: electric bass (3, 5); Omri Bar Giora: electric guitar (5); Shai Jaschek: electric guitar (7, 8); Tal Kalman: tenor saxophone (1, 4, 6); Meital Waldmann: vocal (8).

Album information

Title: Trial & Error | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Self Produced

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