js One of the more interesting developments in modern jazz is a heightened interest in working with large ensembles. The big bands are making a comeback, and they are creating colorful adventurous music that can not be pulled off with a smaller ensemble. The Avi Lebovich Orchestra is typical of many of these new bands in that they not only mix together an interesting array of acoustic and electric instruments, but they also pull from many musical influences at once, merging the modern and avant-garde with more traditional approaches. On “Volcano”, Lebovich’s orchestra features three trombones and several low range saxophones (as well as other horns and reeds) which gives the band a low midrange texture, as opposed to the more trumpet leaning high pitched scream of Don Ellis or Maynard Ferguson. Guitarist Yonatan Albalak helps give the orchestra a hip modern sound by using a variety of electronic effects, and a steady stream of guests on electronic keyboards and other instruments helps keep the sound of each song unique.

Although its easy to hear the influence of pioneers like Don Ellis and Gil Evans when you listen to any modern big band, Lebovich’s music is very much his own creation. Pulling from influences such as post bop, modern fusion, the music of Africa, his own native Israel and the Middle East in general, Avi blends all of these together so that it all becomes one style. The horn arrangements on here are excellent, and the individual musicians are also good at improvising call and response figures and other types of spontaneous polyphony. On most songs, its hard to tell what is arranged, and what is improvised. Most of the tracks on here are great, but some of the hottest are saved for last; “Poem 54” is an odd-metered Middle-Eastern jam that slips into spy movie themes, title track “Volcano” is a West Africa type syncopated groove that recalls Yousou N’Dour’s big band and “Open Sesame Please” is energetic funk that sounds like Tower of Power with twice the horn section. If I have one complaint about this CD, its that I wonder why they saved the best for last, the middle section of “Volcano” could have used a few less mid-tempo numbers and a little more of the fire this band is capable of.