2009-12-07
Newark Star Ledger by Zan Stewart - Review
This is tasty, expansive music with the potential to touch a wealth of listeners.
Newark Star Ledger
January 7, 2009
Fortuna
Roni Ben-Hur
(Motema)
The exemplary Teaneck-based guitarist and composer Roni Ben-Hur offers resplendent bebop-and-beyond jazz via his glowing sound, his buoyant melodic lines and his keen ear for choice material. In that pursuit, Ben-Hur is aided here by bassist Rufus Reid’s resonant lines, Ronnie Mathews’ vibrant piano tones, and zesty percussion from drummer Lewis Nash and percussionist Steve Kroon. Ben-Hur’s alluringly themed, pulsing title track boasts enticing guitar, piano and drum outings. “Modinha” is invitingly slow and evocative, with Middle Eastern flavors. The crackling “Intimacy of the Blues” has a vital swagger and spiffy improvised stories; likewise the percolating “A Sleepin’ Bee.” The tender ballad “You Are There” displays Ben-Hur’s capacious warmth. This is tasty, expansive music with the potential to touch a wealth of listeners.
— Zan Stewart
http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2009/11/post_37.html
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