From Tel Aviv, Sefi Zisling is the trumpeter merging classic elements of John Coltrane with psychedelic funk, soul and spiritual jazz. Forming a sound of unique aptitude, a coolness while the obvious funk and jazz creates a serendipitous movement in noise. An evolution, using Brazilian funk with elements of Coltrane jazz that has a lo-fi chillness. Moods and emotional ability to capture the listener at any given time, transporting you through depths and layers of sounds.
In using key influence of afro-funk sound there is a defining beat that is groovy and free while being rigged and formed. Visible layers of sound, infectious abstract melodies with a dark colour palette that punches through with light undertones. He is very present in making sure the sound isn’t solely focused on his predecessors, using a key modern approach. Taking his influences of the past while bringing in tri hop, spacey jazz, with a defining electronic beat. Excellent tempo changes that allow you to focus in specifically on one area in song whilst chiming with the other sections perfectly.
Modern jazz has a brilliant way of forging its own story. It doesn’t have to prove a point of in its excellent sound. Artists such as Sefi Zisling use their own experiences, their journey through sound to constantly adapt. Using psychedelic melodies that also create a rigid movement keep everything focused and transport listeners on a journey. Zisling’s sound melts superbly with the icons of the past, yet he is so defining in the structure of his song. Timings on something like Flip Mode for example, a tension with a high volume that also float through psychedelic funk. Small details that with a freeness in all his songs, you can see new and old outlets.
He is jazz, funk, afro-funk, electronic, lo-fi, psychedelic. Everything. Zisling isn’t just one thing, he can’t be. And with such a superb range he still manages to focus in and stay true to himself. Using sounds from icons of the world, while bringing in a newness that has a modern outlook. A modern experiment of old sounds that is still new.
Making you move and be still all at the same time. Thinking and dissecting the hundreds of layers in notes and melodies. Taking things out to focus in on them again and put them back together.
Sweet trumpet notes glide you through the song. He is the leader and your focus, while having African beats with a psychedelic rawness. Elevated through night and day, slowly falling through the rising beats. The catalyst of the trumpet is what you reach toward, a structured groove of spontaneity. Emotional atmosphere that somehow correlates with how the listener feels in the exact moment in time. Different for everyone else while being the same.
Jazz is brilliant, but for anyone unsure of where to start in terms of ‘modern jazz’ then go for Sefi Zisling. He’ll lead you down a path of all-round good vibes and gently ease you through the time whirl of sound. Surrounding not only jazz but also funk, afro-beat, psychedelic and all-round good vibes.
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