A heads up for another of April’s top releases.
Featuring compositions by the Israeli guitarist Gilad Hekselman these include ‘Wise Man’ and a tribute to John Scofield,’Scoville’. Check the Trio Grande version that Hekselman did of the bluesy gem with Will Vinson and Antonio Sánchez issued 4 years ago on Whirlwind.
Plus also here is a version of Burt Bacharach’s ‘Alfie‘ and the Hebrew folk song ’Like A Wildflower’ by Nachum Heiman (sung by Chava Alberstein in the 1970s).
Hekselman is with bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Marcus Gilmore. Downhill From Here was recorded in late 2023 in an Astoria, New York studio.
Hekselman, 42, moved from Israel to New York City after receiving a scholarship to study at The New School. In 2005, he won the Gibson Montreux International Guitar Competition and debuted with Splitlife in 2006 on which he appeared with Joe Martin and Ari Hoenig.
The pick of the upcoming album first listens suggest are the Sco tribute and ‘Wise Man’ where the most scintillating improvising by this top jazz guitarist occurs.
Check the video, top, for a glimpse of ‘Wise Man.’
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