In the Beginning

Tracklist

Album details

Press reviews

"A young tenor saxophonist from Israel, Eli Degibri, is just starting to be
known in New York. Don't miss him. He commanded attention when he toured
with Herbie Hancock. He is a very modern improviser, superartful; his
creations are spiky and fractured but immaculately sculptured."

-Ben Ratliff, The New York Times
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"Eli's music treads uncharted waters. He is very talented composer, arranger and performer, the caliber which is a rare find in jazz today. I know that he has the potential to be a formidable force in the evolution of jazz."

-Herbie Hancock
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"Young tenor saxophonist Eli Degibri brings a seasoned and somewhat unique approach to his debut recording, In The Beginning. While its impressive that the Israeli native performed in circles with names such as Herbie Hancock, Al Foster, and the Mingus Big Band, it is more impressive to hear his own style and development come to the forefront. Paying your dues on the bandstand is one thingbut leading a band and creating your own music is quite another.

While In The Beginning rings with the familiar Coltrane sound, the music is delivered with thoughtful and refined performances that help to distinguish Degibri from other tenor saxophonists. Its not necessarily the sound of his horn, but more the other aspects of his style which captures attention. Soulful, poignant, and delivered with stark control, Degibri has clearly honed the finer attributes of his instrument.

The eleven compositions span a tight area of modern jazz styles. The majestic In the Beginning carries a pervasive undulating guitar riff as the tenor sax sings the melody. On Painless the rhythm section shines bright as drummer Jeff Ballard and bassist Ben street support each soloist on the lovely ballad. For those who prefer their post bop with a new outlook, the colorful Shoohoo should fit the bill, with its quirky interchanges that spin off some interesting guitar, drum and sax solos.

The recordings sound quality is also a factor: the delicate nuance of each instruments sound is captured. On the duo On All the Things You Are, the free-flowing sound of the bass and saxophone are exquisite. Another added element is the skillful presence of notable guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel, who delivers an array of effects that enhance but never overpower the music. All things considered this is a strong and memorable debut from an emerging artist who warrants a closer listen."

-Mark F. Turner, All About Jazz
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"Otro nuevo talento llegado desde Israel, en este caso de ascendencia búlgara y persa. Y residente en Nueva York, por supuesto. Avalado por su gira de más de dos años en el grupo de Herbie Hancock, y siendo habitual colaborador de Al Foster y Ron Carter, Eli Degibri nos presenta su primer disco lleno de excelentes intenciones, llegando a buen puerto en algunos casos y con peor suerte en otros.

En ese sentido Degibri comete algunos de los típicos errores de los discos de debut, queriendo incluir muchas cosas de una sola vez, ofreciendo innecesarias demostraciones de técnica (Cherokee) y sacando poco partido de una formación que en teoría quita el hipo. Si nos quedamos con lo positivo hemos de destacar el lirismo del israelí al tenor, así como su concepción atmosférica de la música, hasta el punto de que Jeff Ballard utiliza sus platos aún más de lo que es habitual en él. Esa concepción permite que Degibri se aleje por momentos de los patrones más rígidos del jazz clásico, si bien en otros momentos muestra un sonido cercano al pop (Last Summer, With You), y a veces todo queda en un pastoso producto intermedio.

In the Beginning no pasará a la historia como un gran disco de debut, pero hay madera, y es previsible el fundamental papel que jugará la experiencia en la carrera de Eli Degibri. De momento, promete."

-Arturo Mora Rioja, www.tomajazz.com, 2005