Album Review: Play Space from Omer Lesham

Album Name: Play Space
Artist: Omer Lesham
Label: Ubuntu Music
Artist Website: omerleshem.net

Originally from Herzliya, Israel and now based in Brooklyn, New York for the past decade, saxophonist and composer Omer Leshem has honed a compositional style that is influenced by a wide range of concepts, including classical European harmonies, Middle Eastern grooves, Mediterranean lyricism, and contemporary free jazz. His third release Play Space is composed of nine original scores featuring his quintet with Leshem playing tenor saxophone, Moshe Elmakias on piano, Nadav Remez on guitar, Elam Friedlander on bass, and Ben Silashi on drums.  All members are Israelis currently residing in New York City, channeling their shared ethnic roots and affinity for improvised jazz.

Leshem pays homage to the British psychoanalyst Donald Winnicot on the recording, who devoted his career to studying child play.  Interpreted as the concept that a child’s imagination liberates the mind from established rules, standards and limitations.  It is a type of thinking outside of the box for Leshem whose opening track “Twilight Hymn" has a Middle Eastern groove fused with the exotic squiggles of his tenor saxophone while Nadav Remez's guitar strings shimmer with a balmy Mediterranean glaze.

The frenzied pace of "Take An Advil" has Leshem's sax being jostled by the octane rush of Ben Silashi's drums and Moshe Elmakias's pelting keys.  The recording slows to a contemplative glint with “David’s Devastating Journey,” garnished in the soft strokes of Elmakias's keys and Elam Friedlander's lamenting bass swells.  “Cape Town Swag” elevates the compilation to a festive atmosphere as the swirling drumbeats add to the jovial sear of Leshem's sax and Elmakias's surging keys.

The sensual saunter of Leshem's saxophone drives “Mulberry Garden,” emoting a sadness that pierces the listener's soul while Remez's guitar infuses a consoling vibration.  The track is the most endearing on the recording while “Go You Maniac" changes the course to a frantic pace with the rambling notes of Elmakias's keys and the jiggling flares of Leshem's sax.  “Back Home” closes the CD with ruminating keys complimented by the warm texture of Leshem's sax and the poetic resonance of Remez's guitar, evoking a sadness and solace when parting from the listener.

The album was recorded in June 2023 at the renown Dreamland Studios, a remote church nestled within the forest just outside of Woodstock, New York.  Recorded by engineer Ariel Shafir and mixed and mastered by Dave Darlington, the quintet embarks on maiden voyages through palettes, textures and melodic coordinates, affecting both their peers and listeners.

Musicians:
Omer Leshem - tenor saxophone
Moshe Elmakias - piano
Nadav Remez - guitar
Elam Friedlander - bass
Ben Silashi - drums