| Jazz |
If the name of the group “Shalosh” doesn’t ring a bell, that’s perfectly normal, as it involves three young Israeli musicians who have just been signed to the German label ACT. They are young, around 25 years old, and these three artists are the pianist Gadi Stern, the bassist David Michaeli, and the drummer Matan Assayag. With these three prodigies, Shalosh is more than just a band; it’s a lifelong project. Stern declares on this matter: “SHALOSH is not just a band, it’s an idea”. What unites these three musicians is the fact that they have experienced war since their early childhood – a war they viscerally detest, to the point of starting their album with the track “After a War”. With these opening words, “after a war,” one can immediately grasp that they are depicting political leaders who act in their own self-interest, without scruples, with everything that can be likened to manipulation. The piece becomes explosive as war erupts, then returns to a melancholic atmosphere as people realize the misery they have endured and how utterly pointless it all was. Utterly futile. As Israelis, they know exactly what they’re talking about. However, the piece isn’t fundamentally pessimistic, as they still hold onto the dream of a better civilization. That’s why they titled the piece not “Before the War” but “After The War.”
The trio cites the influence of Ahmad Jamal. In fact, a track on this album, quite distinct from the rest and closer to the universe of E.S.T, titled “Tune For Mr. Jamal,” is not only a tribute to that extraordinary artist but also highlights the immensely humanistic aspect of these three artists.
“For those familiar with the city of Tel Aviv, ‘Onwards Upwards’ is also an image of this cosmopolitan city where all nationalities intersect, bringing a bit of their culture with them.”
This album is conceived as a wave of happiness and forthcoming hopes, after the war, after the storm, long after, when humanity prevails over politics. So yes, we love it, we adore it, and we say it loud and clear: Shalosh deserves to be among the “essential” selections of Paris-Move and Bayou Blue Radio, because talent doesn’t necessarily wait for the passage of years.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, August 28th 2023
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