CD Review: Menachem Zibziner, Pulse

The album “PULSE” is a profoundly personal and spiritual homecoming for guitarist and composer Menachem Zibziner. Marking a return to music after a turbulent period, it channels healing and introspection into an intimate trio setting featuring Zibziner’s son Itamar on drums and Ron Barzilai on bass. Blending contemporary and spiritual jazz with atmospheric influences, “PULSE” offers an expansive yet delicate sound designed for thoughtful listening.

The opening track, “Contemplation,” written by McCoy Tyner, embodies its name with a meditative, contemplative mood. The ensemble’s beautiful blending and openness immediately strike the listener, conveying a sense of longing and spiritual depth. This moment sets a reflective tone that carries through much of the album.

“FAM” introduces subtle Middle Eastern inflections into the mix, anchored by a compelling bass solo from Barzilai. The trio’s musical integration is again clear here as every instrument responds organically, weaving a fabric of shared expression. Jakob Bro’s “Strands,” the album’s first track featuring guest trumpeter Eli Hasson, is haunting and evocative. Hasson’s trumpet and Zibziner’s guitar entwine seamlessly, creating an atmospheric soundscape full of emotional resonance.

“The Night Before,” an original piece by Zibziner, showcases the leader’s compositional voice—intimate, thoughtful, and expressive—anchored by the trio’s finely tuned interplay. “Terminal 7” ups the rhythmic drive and introduces a rawer guitar tone, complementing a spirited trumpet solo by Hasson. Zibziner’s interpretation of Tomasz Stanko’s piece is fresh and energetic, maintaining the composition’s spirit while adding his personal touch.

“Overthought” maintains the album’s contemplative mood but brings a subtle propulsion forward, offering a graceful balance of movement and reflection.

Closing the album is “Yesh Li Sikuy,” a quiet, meditative composition by Eviatar Banai. Its simplicity and calm serve as a gentle conclusion, inviting the listener to linger in the album’s emotional space.

Throughout “PULSE,” the musicians’ deep familiarity and chemistry are palpable. Each performance feels genuine and passionate, with no sense of artifice or contrivance. The playing remains highly melodic throughout, with the musicians navigating complex soundscapes that reward close, repeated listening.

The album’s production enhances these qualities, capturing textures and dynamics with clarity and warmth. Zibziner’s guitar tone is particularly notable—expressive and resonant, it often leads the sonic conversation with subtlety and authority.

“PULSE” is highly recommended for listeners seeking jazz that combines spiritual depth, melodic richness, and atmospheric intimacy. It stands as Menachem Zibziner’s most personal artistic statement as a bandleader to date, and the trio’s synergy makes it a compelling experience from start to finish.

This is music to be absorbed, contemplated, and revisited—a successful fusion of contemporary jazz innovation and timeless emotional resonance.

Line-Up
Menachem Zibziner – Guitar | Ron Barzilai – Bass | Itamar Zibziner – Drums | Naveh Raz – Drums (tracks 3, 5) | Eli Hasson – Trumpet (tracks 3, 5)

Release Details
Release Date: 29 September, 2025
Format: CD | Streaming
Label: Self Release