Album review overview: Ofri Nehemya, Cat Stevens and more

Dozens of new albums arrive at Maxazine’s editorial staff every week. There are too many to listen to, let alone review. This ensures that too many albums are left behind, and that’s a shame. That is why today, we post an overview of albums that arrive at the editors in short reviews.

Photo (c) Jorge Fakhouri Filho

Cosmic Cathedral – Deep Water

Cosmic Cathedral is a new supergroup. The band members are singer/multi-instrumentalist Neal Morse, drummer Chester Thompson, singer/guitarist Phil Keaggy, and bassist Byron House. Their debut album “Deep Water” largely emerged from jam sessions. You can hear Christianity in the lyrics, sometimes more clearly than at other times. Some parts are sung with great passion, where you mainly hear Neal’s voice. The harmony/background vocals are of good quality, but often very sweet. In these sections, the music is predominantly calm, yet certainly beautiful. Beyond that, it’s instrumentally very varied, both in terms of instruments and style. There are countless (great) turns and surprises. On the review download, not all transitions between parts of “Deep Water Suite” (the 38-minute epic) flow smoothly. On the CD, this will surely be flawless. “The Door To Heaven” is truly the closing track due to its build-up. You can hear that top musicians are at work here. Although Neal’s style is present, the other musicians have also left their mark. This results in an excellent (but sometimes very sweet) blend. (Esther Kessel-Tamerus) (8/10) (InsideOutMusic / Sony Music)

Ofri Nehemya – Time Traveler

The shuffle: that’s the most-used rhythmic pattern in jazz. Logical, because it’s precisely that shuffle that creates an irresistible groove. Israeli drummer Ofri Nehemya has perfected that shuffle in all its forms. “Time Traveler” is the result. Across eight compositions, Nehemya demonstrates his undisputed talent, where from the first second it’s clear that the drums take centre stage. Then the golden rule applies: in limitation, the master reveals himself. Nowhere does the young drummer go off track: maintaining a tight rhythm as the foundation under the compositions is the drummer’s most important task, and Nehemya accomplishes this excellently, both up-tempo and in the more relaxed pieces. “Time Traveler” is, above all a pleasantly diverse album. From the real groove with driving shuffles in the opening “Drive” and “Just Sayin'” to almost languid tracks like “Katniss” and “Memories, A Mothers Light”. The highlight, however, is “Armors and Doubts” which begins menacingly with a single note on the piano and a march-like roll. This piece, with the telling title, unfolds in several parts, with consecutive solos by guitarist Nitzar Bar, who takes us to the section with more prominent percussion, including a series of ingenious fills in the finale of the piece. A truly good drummer plays a solo while maintaining the groove and continuing to play in service of the composition and the band. This young drummer has understood that well, even when he’s allowed to be more in the foreground. Is the drummer never allowed to really ‘let loose’? Certainly. In “One for Myself”, the closing piece. Aptly chosen title, because in just over two and a half minutes, Nehemya may indulge himself. A neat proof of competence, but Ofri Nehemya is truly at his best in service of his band. (Jeroen Mulder) (8/10) (Adhyâropa Records)

Yusuf/Cat Stevens – Saturday Night (Live in Tokyo 1974)

After the impressive “King of Land” from 2023, Yusuf/Cat Stevens surprises with a gem from his archives: a live recording from 1974, captured during his heyday in Tokyo. The sound quality is surprisingly clear for a live album from that period. The record opens directly with his timeless classic “Wild World”, a song that over the years has taken on a life of its own with covers by bands like Mr. Big. Stevens’ warm voice sounds at its best here, intimate and powerful at the same time. For the older generation, this album is a sweet journey through musical memories, with jewels like the moving “Father & Son”. With this release, Yusuf primarily appeals to his loyal, long-term fans. New listeners won’t flock en masse, but that’s not the intention either – this is music history captured. A valuable addition to his catalogue. (Anton Dupont) (7/10) (Cat-O-Log records)

Yuja Wang, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Andris Nelsons -The Piano Concertos; Solo Works

The brilliant Chinese pianist Yuja Wang (born 1987 in Beijing) delivers with this album an impressive interpretation of Shostakovich’s piano work. Wang, who was already an international star at 21, shows why she belongs to the world’s top with her technical prowess that perfectly aligns with Shostakovich’s complex oeuvre. Fascinating is how she brings Shostakovich’s musical signature DSCH (D-E flat-C-B or re, mi flat, do, si) to life, a theme that the composer incorporated into many works as a personal signature. This motif comes beautifully to expression in the piano concertos, where Wang’s virtuosity seamlessly merges with the Boston Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Andris Nelsons. The album offers a perfect balance between the large orchestral pieces and the more intimate solo piano work. Wang, known for her daring stage outfits and independent spirit, brings a surprisingly fresh interpretation to these Russian masterpieces. Her lighter touch contrasts beautifully with the sometimes heavy themes in Shostakovich’s compositions. An essential acquisition for lovers of modern Russian classics, sublimely recorded in the majestic Deutsche Grammophon quality we’re accustomed to. (Jan Vranken) (9/10) (Deutsche Grammophon)

Black Violin -Full Circle

Black Violin, the violin and viola playing hip-hop duo from Florida, consists of classically trained musicians Kevin Sylvester (Kev Marcus) and Wilner Baptiste (Wil B). Since their meeting during an arts education in Fort Lauderdale, they have developed a unique sound that combines different genres. Despite their success with their debut album from 2008 and their breakthrough with “Stereotypes” (2015), which topped the Billboard Classical Crossover Albums chart and reached the R&B Albums Top 5, the duo remains relatively unknown. Their new album “Full Circle” is nothing short of a masterpiece that perfects their formula: classical string instruments are central to soul and hip-hop arrangements. The exceptional production quality emphasises their musical talent, with each track a potential hit. The highlight is “Beautiful Day”, featuring Lalah Hathaway (daughter of Donny), the gates of heaven open when you listen to this. Is this the perfect song? I gladly let myself be carried away by it, this is how music should be. Allow yourself to be seduced at least once by this revolutionary mix of classical instrumentation with contemporary genres. Your life will be enriched by listening to this groundbreaking masterpiece. (Jan Vranken) (9/10) (Diversatile Music Group)