Album Notes

Coming from 3 different corners of the globe, Third World Love organically blends African music, Middle Eastern music, rock and jazz, enabling four virtuoso musicians to embrace the different flavors and compositional forms that they grew up with. Following critically acclaimed albums ''Third World Love Songs'' (Fresh Sound/World Jazz 2002) and "Avanim"(Assal Records/NMC 2004); Third World Love is now taking it live to three continents. With band members bouncing off each other in displays of inspired musicianship, Third World Love's unique sound and insane groove generate an intense stage experience, moving audiences to join the party.

PRESS FROM THE RECENT TOUR
TIMEOUT TELAVIV July 23-30
NEW ALBUM AND NATIONAL TOUR
Since they started to perform there is a consensus among audiences and critics alike: THIRD WORLD LOVE presents one of the most energetic, groundbreaking and virtuosic shows ever to land in the country. For their new album and tour this international super group promises to recreate their lovable hurricane on stage. The success of this ensemble is surprising because most of the year the ensemble members are spread out in NY, France and Israel. This does not however disturb them from keeping an impressive musical tension. One can categorize their music as world music/ acoustic groove or as jazz that is ahead of its time. All the answers are correct, the dynamic of the music and their passage between styles and influences (from Jimi Hendrix to Thelonius Monk and Zohar Argov) successfully move and interest an audience that looks for musical stimulation in different areas.

ACHBAR HA-IR 7-16-2004
THE HOT NAME-THIRD WORLD LOVE
At the time of press we are talking about the hottest jazz ensemble in the country. Their album "Avanim" that came out last week is like a fresh breath of air. They produce hip Jazz without compromise that is successful at simultaneously touching and nailing the listener to their chair. Every jazz lover will want to get their hands on Avanim- In it the musicians cleverly draw from different influences, like bebop, free jazz and world music. The four musicians (who have studied with the best musicians in the world) have squeezed an entire world into one album. Lets hope their success will help open doors for others.

HAMAGAZIN 7-5-2004
Show TWL
ONE DAY THEY WILL FILL AMPHITHEATRES!
Anyone who has a good ear and developed vision can see this fabulous picture - four talented musicians bursting with the joy of playing together performing jazz in front of thousands of happy cheering people. Don't raise your eyebrows or be skeptical, the seeds of the revolution have already been planted, now all that's left to do is add water, pray that they wont get spoiled and wait for the best to come.
TWL (someone please change its name) has a vibe. True. One that makes your body move and your head fly to new places, and yes we are talking about jazz, but not the one that you know. A new jazz that is full of influences- Brazilian, African, Arabic and Israeli. These four wonders are originally from Israel and went abroad to play with the best. Once in awhile they come to Israel to satisfy the addicted.
Their hit (if you can use this term) is Avanim, a personal journey that Yonatan Avishai performs miraculously. He is probably one of the most sensitive and touching keyboardists who work today. He sings, almost whispers "small stones pave my way/the way is long/the way to my heart..." and all you want is to follow him, with his shy smile, total playing and almost unreal charm. Yonatan lives in a small village in the south of France were he raises his family and vegetables and plays music. His European-relaxing- humble-natural peasant presence hides behind the keys and expands your heart. When you are there at the show, clear a few minutes for yourself and open yourself to him. Your enjoyment is assured.

TIMEOUT TEL-AVIV July 15-21 Amir Schwartz
The boundless energy of Third World Love together with the simple and embracing melodies is this group's stamp that cannot be mistaken. The second album of this amazing jazz ensemble is full of moving moments with energetic grooves that sweep you away. The telepathic combination of the members makes the experience of listening a lasting pleasure. As usual with TWL there are no rules and this album floats through countless feels and influences. The theme song that Yonatan Avishai sings is somewhat of a small Zen song that is composed in genius simplicity

MAARIV 7-2004 by Yossi Charsonski
THEY WILL CONQUER THE WORLD
Write these names down...together they are TWL and after hearing their CD and seeing their show I am willing to sign my name to that. They will be THE Israeli ensemble that will conquer the world. Lets not try and categorize the quartet and say that the music that they produce puts them as one of the ethnic/fusion jazz most interesting ensembles that I've heard in the past years. They are actually an ensemble of young Israeli jazz genius that are coming back from careers abroad to show us how much they have neglected the narrow jazz field and opened to the wide world of music- and hugely. The ensemble was formed in Barcelona 2 years ago and although we are talking about leaders that can pull in their own direction, a collaborative dynamic was created that led to such musical wealth that I believe they could not have dreamed of. Cohen's suite African says almost everything about the orientation of the ensemble- melody- rhythm changes- surprising sections and African style singing. Avital contributes a few pieces like Ein Karem a touchy slow jazz number and the oriental Marrakech in which he changes from his Contrabass to Oud. They easily float from Afro to Latin or to Arabic rhythm. Accompanying themselves with singing on top of swinging jazz and it sweeps you away....
Too bad that in the show they only played part of the CD. Anyone who would listen that they have even more to give. I stayed with a taste of more.




MAARIV 7-22-2004 THERE IS ENOUGH LOVE FOR EVERYONE by Boaz Cohen
A one time musical adventure of 3 Israeli players and one American drummer might just become one of the biggest successes of Israeli artists in the world. Twl, which celebrates their 2nd CD, performs tonight heir last show in Israel before flying to France and the sky of diamonds of music.
TWL's success is surprising because of a few reasons. First of all it should not be taken for granted that a jazz ensemble gets to a wide audience. Secondly we are talking about four young men who live in three different countries, lead their own independent lives and still keep their enthusiasm and level of excitement of a new young band....it should be said immediately, whoever saw the show does not need a recommendation, who ever was not lucky to see a show, check a map how to get there. The enjoyment is guaranteed. We are talking about a unique collaboration between Jazz, African music, Latin groove, Yemenite and middle Eastern music inside of a rock band format. Their shows usually end in one big colorful party with wild dances on the tables or in a kind of romantic flavor of the old times when couples hug and sway.

YEDIOT By 7-14-2004 Geva Kra-oz
Usually when I listen to music in my office without headphones my colleagues complain about "the noise. "Last week while I was listening to AVANIM the 2nd album of TWl, many heads suddenly turned and actually asked me to raise the volume. In the music of this ensemble there is apparently something that charms the listener and tempts them to come inside, already from the first listening. This charm can be explained thanks to the good spirit that comes from every note in this album. Its 8 tracks present a world that is tender, beautiful and that almost flatters the ear too much, but in a way that escapes cliché thanks to the interesting merging of genres and the high level of playing. Officially we are talking about a jazz ensemble but in reality they are much more diverse and the ensemble floats between world music, classical and pop and other genres that altogether combine to make their own unique sound. 3/4ths of the ensemble is Israeli - they met in Barcelona where they recorded their first record TWL songs. That album and their shows were successful and made them successful in the world scene. The ensemble players who live in different places in the world meet to go on tour. Listening to the album reveal the magic of the ensemble: it appeals to every ear, when they run away from definitions and are not afraid to ride new roads, including the song Avanim that already became a semi hit in the radio.

HABAMA 7-7-2004 by Edan Ring
THIRD WORLD LOVE JAZZ WITH SEX APPEAL
Jazz shows are always seen as a cultural product with an older elitist appeal. When big jazz artists come from abroad they always perform in high-class clubs or concert halls and the price of the ticket to their shows rises as well the age of the audience. With that in mind TWL bring with them a new concept that has almost never been seen in Israel till-now a young, up to date ensemble that gets the nightclub audience that does not want to smoke a cigar in a comfortable chair. TWL is made of three Israelis and one American... TWL expands the boarders of pop music and with much courage offers the wide audience a new kind of culture and music. It is very intelligent and thought out but also colorful and jumpy. They do jazz with the energy of hip-hop and the sex appeal of a rock band... I am curious to see if the wide audience is open and mature enough to understand the brilliance of this show, not only because of its level but also because of its fun. Until now it hasn't happened but I think that TWL are the ones who might break it open. Each one of the musicians is world-class and has names on their own and their contributions are monumentous and successful. I cant remember the last time that an evening that is all acoustic instruments and almost no vocals created such excitement among the Tel Aviv audience. This show gives us a peak at the world music front- straight from NY and France - its fun to listen and to see them. Professional music that meets the audience and mixes with folklore from the whole world....