NEW ALBUMS
KUTIMAN
Open SIYAL
8/10
Multi-talented Israeli gets his groove on again
After almost 10 years in a desert kibbutz, Ophir Kutiel’s moved back to Tel Aviv, and his sixth “conventional” full-length also returns him to familiar territory following last year’s ambient yet immersive Surface Currents. This time, aside from old pal Dekel’s vocals on five tracks – including the breezy “My Everything”, “Need To Forget”’s Terry Callier soul and the unusually upbeat “Love You Tomorrow” – Kutiel plays everything, not least the breakbeats underpinning “Vanishing Point”’s playful library music, “A Day Off”’s guileless, light-fingered keyboard melody and the closing “Ripples”’ smooth Coltrane-esque saxophone. His vintage production skills, moreover, ensure “Confetti”’s Afro-jazz remains convincing.