Ido Bukelman plays music to the march of broken beats using dis-harmonised melodies and obscure structures. It’s a free style, sometimes abstractly shaped form of music.
Ido plays in a variety of highly creative musical projects as a leader and as a sideman.
Ido has recently been focusing on solo (acoustic guitar) playing.
he has so far released 5 Cd`s under his own name: “City Tail” ,"Cracked Song" ,"Solo" ,"eft", "The Door".
Ido is one of the three founders of the avantgard label OutNow Recordings.
Ido plays in a variety of highly creative musical projects as a leader and as a sideman.
Ido has recently been focusing on solo (acoustic guitar) playing.
he has so far released 5 Cd`s under his own name: “City Tail” ,"Cracked Song" ,"Solo" ,"eft", "The Door".
Ido is one of the three founders of the avantgard label OutNow Recordings.
In the album, the dominant sound is almost entirely Ido’s acoustic guitar, usually tuned down a couple of tones, yet also features some layers of feedback, swirled sounds and strange squeaks, made by Bukelman’s abuse of his somewhat tortured Martin.
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Cracked Song is most of all a melodic search for a “song”.
Ido Bukelman`s courageous compositions, shifting in mood and texture, act as the bands heart beat, yet still sonically portray the authentic “free” nature of this groups playing.
The quartet’s musical influences range from Ornette Coleman`s music, to the energetic experimentation of Jimi Hendrix, through current day classical and improvised music.
All of these elements are channelled towards the creation of a unique lyrical sound. Bukelman`s choice to augment his traditionally instrumented guitar-bass-drum trio by adding cellist Yuval Mesner, one of Israels foremost musicians, has resulted in a beautiful, challenging and bold statement.
The quartet’s musical influences range from Ornette Coleman`s music, to the energetic experimentation of Jimi Hendrix, through current day classical and improvised music.
All of these elements are channelled towards the creation of a unique lyrical sound. Bukelman`s choice to augment his traditionally instrumented guitar-bass-drum trio by adding cellist Yuval Mesner, one of Israels foremost musicians, has resulted in a beautiful, challenging and bold statement.
Creative Commons license: Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0
Cracked Song is most off all a melodic search for a “song”.
Ido Bukelman`s courageous compositions, shifting in mood and texture, act as the bands heart beat, yet still sonically portray the authentic “free” nature of this groups playing.
The quartet’s musical influences range from Ornette Coleman`s music, to the energetic experimentation of Jimi Hendrix, through current day classical and improvised music. All of these elements are channelled towards the creation of a unique lyrical sound. Bukelman`s choice to augment his traditionally instrumented guitar-bass-drum trio by adding cellist Yuval Mesner, one of Israels foremost musicians, has resulted in a beautiful, challenging and bold statement.
"Altogether this is a first rate Free Jazz album, which most “regular” Jazz enthusiasts should enjoy as well. This level of musicianship, personal courage and dedication to the music is a heartwarming and one can hope that the future of noncommercial and artistic music in Israel has a new perspective in the hands of a new generation, which will take it further. This is brilliant stuff, not to be missed!" (Jazzis, 2011)
"As with his recent solo record, “Cracked Songs” offers samples of the range of guitar work of which Ido Bukelman is capable. At home in ferocious improvisation as he is in delicate chord progressions and melodic grounding, he is one of the great unknown (at least in America) guitarists. Fledgling label Out Now Recordings is off on the right foot by shining the spotlight on this true artist" (Foxy Digitalis)
By IAN HOLLOWAY ,Wonderful Wooden Reasons, July 2012
Oh, now this is really very good. I'm not the world's biggest fan of jazz guitar or of guitar noodling in general but Bukelman and friends (Yuval Mesner - cello, Assaf Hakimi - double bass & Udi Shlomo - percussion & drums) have produced a set of tumbling and careening compositions that showcase a focussed and varied jazz style.
There's much to admire in the exacting moves between extravagant explorations and cool meanderings. The interactions between the quartet feels natural and unforced. The music is alive and vibrant and eager to be heard.
By Rainlore's World of Music October 1, 2012
The Ido Bukelman Quartet's Ido Bukelman's Cracked Song was released on OutNow Recordings on 1st November 2011. The quartet is made up of Bukelman's regular trio of Bukelman himself, here on electric and acoustic guitar, bassist Assaf Hakimi and Udi Shlomo on drums and percussion, with the addition of one of Israel's most outstanding musicians, cellist Yuval Mesner.
Ido Bukelman's Cracked Song is surprisingly melodic in outlook, although ultimately, free improvisation still comes to the fore. And so do Bukelman's guitar pyrotechnics. Mesner is not shy of delivering some cracking cello fireworks, either. While challenging and stimulating, Ido Bukelman's Cracked Song is also remarkably accessible and often highly lyrical even. Full of surprises, this album is both bold and beautiful.
All compositions are by Bukelman, except the closer, Julia, which is a Lennon / McCartney classic. The compositions in themselves are mostly surprising in their strongly melodic orientation. Their quality is matched by that of the lively, exciting improvs all round.
Thoroughly consistent, Ido Bukelman's Cracked Song is also riveting, and demanding of being played again. Indeed, this is impossible to resist! This is one of the most interesting, stimulating and still beautiful albums of the past year or so to have come out of Israel. Bold, beautiful, and brilliant! And a very enjoyable listen.
The Ido Bukelman Quartet's Ido Bukelman's Cracked Song is something of a must have for the dedicated free jazz aficionado, and should even appeal to the more general jazz fan. Go on, live dangerously!
Ido Bukelman`s courageous compositions, shifting in mood and texture, act as the bands heart beat, yet still sonically portray the authentic “free” nature of this groups playing.
The quartet’s musical influences range from Ornette Coleman`s music, to the energetic experimentation of Jimi Hendrix, through current day classical and improvised music. All of these elements are channelled towards the creation of a unique lyrical sound. Bukelman`s choice to augment his traditionally instrumented guitar-bass-drum trio by adding cellist Yuval Mesner, one of Israels foremost musicians, has resulted in a beautiful, challenging and bold statement.
"Altogether this is a first rate Free Jazz album, which most “regular” Jazz enthusiasts should enjoy as well. This level of musicianship, personal courage and dedication to the music is a heartwarming and one can hope that the future of noncommercial and artistic music in Israel has a new perspective in the hands of a new generation, which will take it further. This is brilliant stuff, not to be missed!" (Jazzis, 2011)
"As with his recent solo record, “Cracked Songs” offers samples of the range of guitar work of which Ido Bukelman is capable. At home in ferocious improvisation as he is in delicate chord progressions and melodic grounding, he is one of the great unknown (at least in America) guitarists. Fledgling label Out Now Recordings is off on the right foot by shining the spotlight on this true artist" (Foxy Digitalis)
By IAN HOLLOWAY ,Wonderful Wooden Reasons, July 2012
Oh, now this is really very good. I'm not the world's biggest fan of jazz guitar or of guitar noodling in general but Bukelman and friends (Yuval Mesner - cello, Assaf Hakimi - double bass & Udi Shlomo - percussion & drums) have produced a set of tumbling and careening compositions that showcase a focussed and varied jazz style.
There's much to admire in the exacting moves between extravagant explorations and cool meanderings. The interactions between the quartet feels natural and unforced. The music is alive and vibrant and eager to be heard.
By Rainlore's World of Music October 1, 2012
The Ido Bukelman Quartet's Ido Bukelman's Cracked Song was released on OutNow Recordings on 1st November 2011. The quartet is made up of Bukelman's regular trio of Bukelman himself, here on electric and acoustic guitar, bassist Assaf Hakimi and Udi Shlomo on drums and percussion, with the addition of one of Israel's most outstanding musicians, cellist Yuval Mesner.
Ido Bukelman's Cracked Song is surprisingly melodic in outlook, although ultimately, free improvisation still comes to the fore. And so do Bukelman's guitar pyrotechnics. Mesner is not shy of delivering some cracking cello fireworks, either. While challenging and stimulating, Ido Bukelman's Cracked Song is also remarkably accessible and often highly lyrical even. Full of surprises, this album is both bold and beautiful.
All compositions are by Bukelman, except the closer, Julia, which is a Lennon / McCartney classic. The compositions in themselves are mostly surprising in their strongly melodic orientation. Their quality is matched by that of the lively, exciting improvs all round.
Thoroughly consistent, Ido Bukelman's Cracked Song is also riveting, and demanding of being played again. Indeed, this is impossible to resist! This is one of the most interesting, stimulating and still beautiful albums of the past year or so to have come out of Israel. Bold, beautiful, and brilliant! And a very enjoyable listen.
The Ido Bukelman Quartet's Ido Bukelman's Cracked Song is something of a must have for the dedicated free jazz aficionado, and should even appeal to the more general jazz fan. Go on, live dangerously!
released 01 November 2011
Ido Bukelman – electric & acoustic Guitars
Yuval Mesner – Cello
Assaf Hakimi - double bass
Udi Shlomo – percussion
By Adam Baruch, Jazzis:
This is the second solo recording by Israeli guitarist / composer Ido Bukelman, one of the most prolific musicians on the local Free Jazz / Improvised Music scene. In contrast to his ensemble recordings or those with the EFT trio, where he mostly plays electric guitar, on his solo albums Bukelman opts for the acoustic guitar, adding also banjo and some percussion on this one. Of the eleven tracks on this album, all composed by him, the last six are connected into a suite, which gives the album its title. In comparison to his previous solo album ("Solo"), recorded just a few months earlier, this album is much more relaxed and "well behaved", with clear melodic content popping out between and behind the freely improvised passages. Of course this is still very much Improvised Music, very personal and complex, which presents quite a challenge to the listener, but the overall effect of this album is definitely less stressful and estranging. With four albums recorded and released in less than a year Bukelman emerges as a major talent of the local scene, one that deserves to be followed carefully, open-mindedly and openheartedly as a source of some serious musical experiences.
Ido Bukelman "The Door"
By Stato Pubblicato, All About Jazz Italia:
"...A real stream of consciousness that draws from the languages of the avant-garde and the emotions of the soul. An excursion in the territories of thought and poetry, in perfect solitude, with no regrets."
In questo album Bukelman è da solo alle prese con la sua chitarra acustica, il banjo e piccole percussioni che riesce ad attivare mentre suona i due strumenti a corde, visto che il tutto è registrato in un unica presa di suono, senza sovraincisioni. Un vero e proprio stream of consciousness che pesca dai linguaggi delle avanguardie e dalle emozioni dell'anima. Una escursione nei territori del pensiero e della poesia, in perfetta solitudine, senza rimpianti.
Ido Bukelman: Solo Acoustic Guitar Recordings
By EYAL HAREUVENI, Allaboutjazz, Published: November 12, 2011
Israeli guitarist Ido Bukelman has developed a highly idiosyncratic style since releasing his first solo album, City Tail (OutNow, 2009). At that time, he tended to reference saxophonist Ornette Coleman's harmolidics, guitarist Pat Metheny's clean melodic lines and guitarist Jimi Hendrix's pyrotechnics.
After working closely with Israreli sax players Albert Beger and Yoni Kertzmer, Bukelman began to focus on solo acoustic guitar, now influenced by experimental, conceptual guitarists such Derek Bailey and Bill Orcutt. These two solo recordings track his development as a mature musician and improviser.
This album was inspired by the poems of Israeli poet Israel Eliraz and dedicated to his partner. Bukelman now plays acoustic guitar, banjo and a few percussion instruments such as bells, that he can operate while playing the guitar. The 11 improvisations are looser but also more concise than on the previous album, seeking a deeper, resonant ambience that expands the conventional sonic possibilities of a six-string guitar.
On "Man With Just A Handle Blues," Bukelman's playing is a stream of intuitive improvisation that finds a cohesive structure towards the end. "Love Song" is a more meditative improvisation, as if Bukelman is looking for the right sound to reflect his emotions. The title composition-improvisation, in three parts, unfolds patiently and gently, and through its basic skeletal structure Bukelman explores beautiful harmonic possibilities. "(The R.C. Singing) Over The Tall Flowers" further explores poetic, emotional playing.
By Noël Tachet;
Un maître de la suggestion. Une connaissance assurée de la guitare impro, blues, folk, etc… une dimension proprement guitaristique, un sens de la mise en scène, des plans sonores, beaucoup d’espace entre des sons pourtant pressés, une construction musicale dans l’instant de la sonorité et dans le développement dramatique, qui appartient en propre à la guitare comme reine de l’accompagnement. Une suggestion mélodique et harmonique prégnante, la capacité de mener simultanément plusieurs lignes, une mutation de la mélodie par le timbre, le son (timbre : ancien sens, mélodie réutilisée), un équilibre son/mélodie étonnant, un usage du temps extrêmement fort, entre l’instant sonore et le développement.
Un usage abondant de sortes d’arpèges mutants, pas si loin du banjo 5 cordes (présent par moments), mais mené un pas plus loin : les sons semblent venir d’ailleurs, comme des field recordings mais ils n’en sont pas, le monde est là, la musique est là.
Le disque est construit en deux parties, cinq pièces introductrices conduisent à The door, une suite en six parties assez majestueuses, inspirée d’un poème d’Israel Eliraz dont deux vers sont cités sur la pochette : « I know that music has the answer and one day it will be given » (je sais que la musique a la réponse et un jour elle sera donnée »)
By Par Luc Bouquet:
Le message est clair : l’harmonie doit être renversée, brisée, non plus interrogée mais anéantie. Pour Ido Bukelman, guitariste jadis influencé par Hendrix et aujourd’hui par la poésie d’Israël Eliraz, le salut passe et s’incruste dans la dissonance.
L’accord est toujours maltraitant. Les cordes sont frottées à même le nerf, battues et ballotées jusqu’au trépas. Nous sommes séduits par ce solo singulier, par cette envie de faire fondre les vanités. On aime cette Love Song empoisonnée à jamais et on souscrit, sans réserve aucune, à ce fiel déversé, ici, sans peur(s) et sans reproche(s).
This is the second solo recording by Israeli guitarist / composer Ido Bukelman, one of the most prolific musicians on the local Free Jazz / Improvised Music scene. In contrast to his ensemble recordings or those with the EFT trio, where he mostly plays electric guitar, on his solo albums Bukelman opts for the acoustic guitar, adding also banjo and some percussion on this one. Of the eleven tracks on this album, all composed by him, the last six are connected into a suite, which gives the album its title. In comparison to his previous solo album ("Solo"), recorded just a few months earlier, this album is much more relaxed and "well behaved", with clear melodic content popping out between and behind the freely improvised passages. Of course this is still very much Improvised Music, very personal and complex, which presents quite a challenge to the listener, but the overall effect of this album is definitely less stressful and estranging. With four albums recorded and released in less than a year Bukelman emerges as a major talent of the local scene, one that deserves to be followed carefully, open-mindedly and openheartedly as a source of some serious musical experiences.
Ido Bukelman "The Door"
By Stato Pubblicato, All About Jazz Italia:
"...A real stream of consciousness that draws from the languages of the avant-garde and the emotions of the soul. An excursion in the territories of thought and poetry, in perfect solitude, with no regrets."
In questo album Bukelman è da solo alle prese con la sua chitarra acustica, il banjo e piccole percussioni che riesce ad attivare mentre suona i due strumenti a corde, visto che il tutto è registrato in un unica presa di suono, senza sovraincisioni. Un vero e proprio stream of consciousness che pesca dai linguaggi delle avanguardie e dalle emozioni dell'anima. Una escursione nei territori del pensiero e della poesia, in perfetta solitudine, senza rimpianti.
Ido Bukelman: Solo Acoustic Guitar Recordings
By EYAL HAREUVENI, Allaboutjazz, Published: November 12, 2011
Israeli guitarist Ido Bukelman has developed a highly idiosyncratic style since releasing his first solo album, City Tail (OutNow, 2009). At that time, he tended to reference saxophonist Ornette Coleman's harmolidics, guitarist Pat Metheny's clean melodic lines and guitarist Jimi Hendrix's pyrotechnics.
After working closely with Israreli sax players Albert Beger and Yoni Kertzmer, Bukelman began to focus on solo acoustic guitar, now influenced by experimental, conceptual guitarists such Derek Bailey and Bill Orcutt. These two solo recordings track his development as a mature musician and improviser.
This album was inspired by the poems of Israeli poet Israel Eliraz and dedicated to his partner. Bukelman now plays acoustic guitar, banjo and a few percussion instruments such as bells, that he can operate while playing the guitar. The 11 improvisations are looser but also more concise than on the previous album, seeking a deeper, resonant ambience that expands the conventional sonic possibilities of a six-string guitar.
On "Man With Just A Handle Blues," Bukelman's playing is a stream of intuitive improvisation that finds a cohesive structure towards the end. "Love Song" is a more meditative improvisation, as if Bukelman is looking for the right sound to reflect his emotions. The title composition-improvisation, in three parts, unfolds patiently and gently, and through its basic skeletal structure Bukelman explores beautiful harmonic possibilities. "(The R.C. Singing) Over The Tall Flowers" further explores poetic, emotional playing.
By Noël Tachet;
Un maître de la suggestion. Une connaissance assurée de la guitare impro, blues, folk, etc… une dimension proprement guitaristique, un sens de la mise en scène, des plans sonores, beaucoup d’espace entre des sons pourtant pressés, une construction musicale dans l’instant de la sonorité et dans le développement dramatique, qui appartient en propre à la guitare comme reine de l’accompagnement. Une suggestion mélodique et harmonique prégnante, la capacité de mener simultanément plusieurs lignes, une mutation de la mélodie par le timbre, le son (timbre : ancien sens, mélodie réutilisée), un équilibre son/mélodie étonnant, un usage du temps extrêmement fort, entre l’instant sonore et le développement.
Un usage abondant de sortes d’arpèges mutants, pas si loin du banjo 5 cordes (présent par moments), mais mené un pas plus loin : les sons semblent venir d’ailleurs, comme des field recordings mais ils n’en sont pas, le monde est là, la musique est là.
Le disque est construit en deux parties, cinq pièces introductrices conduisent à The door, une suite en six parties assez majestueuses, inspirée d’un poème d’Israel Eliraz dont deux vers sont cités sur la pochette : « I know that music has the answer and one day it will be given » (je sais que la musique a la réponse et un jour elle sera donnée »)
By Par Luc Bouquet:
Le message est clair : l’harmonie doit être renversée, brisée, non plus interrogée mais anéantie. Pour Ido Bukelman, guitariste jadis influencé par Hendrix et aujourd’hui par la poésie d’Israël Eliraz, le salut passe et s’incruste dans la dissonance.
L’accord est toujours maltraitant. Les cordes sont frottées à même le nerf, battues et ballotées jusqu’au trépas. Nous sommes séduits par ce solo singulier, par cette envie de faire fondre les vanités. On aime cette Love Song empoisonnée à jamais et on souscrit, sans réserve aucune, à ce fiel déversé, ici, sans peur(s) et sans reproche(s).
released 20 August 2011
Recorded, Mixed and mastered by JC Jones at the Kadima Studio, Jerusalem, winter 2011.
Kadima Collective recordings #33, 2011.
Recorded, Mixed and mastered by JC Jones at the Kadima Studio, Jerusalem, winter 2011.
Kadima Collective recordings #33, 2011.