As Is...Live at the Blue Note

AMG Review of As Is...Live at the Blue Note

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

Avishai Cohen, who became well known in the jazz world during his period with Chick Corea, is one of the top bassists in the world. His virtuosity and constant creativity in both a modern mainstream format and on funkier grooves seem effortless. As Is...Live at the Blue Note contains a CD (the first seven selections) and a DVD. "Smash," "Feediop," the ballad "Remembering" and an overlong "Caravan" (the one non-original) are featured in both formats while three songs are different. Cohen takes many solos and is always a prominent force in the ensembles. Pianist-keyboardist Sam Barsh and drummer Mark Guiliana communicate very well with Cohen while trumpeter Diego Urcola and tenor soprano saxophonist Jimmy Greene add plenty of fire during their guest appearances. The camera work is excellent for the DVD so one can equally enjoy hearing and seeing these skilled musicians at their best.