FUTURISTIC WORLDS UNDER CONSTRUCTION (AS YUVAL RON & THE RESIDENTS OF THE FUTURE)

This EP was released back in 2004, and was the first music made available by Yuval Ron & Residents of the Future. Given that it was another eight years before the debut album came out, and there has been nothing official since (although the band regularly tours, and has also released videos), they aren't exactly the most prolific act around, but don't let that put you off from discovering their music. This is an instrumental five song EP, clocking in at some thirty-three minutes in length, and somewhat surprisingly for a band led by a guitarist, starts with lots of synths. But, from here on in we have a band that is cooking, and are very much a band as opposed to a backing outfit for Yuval, who is indeed one helluva guitarist. The interplays between him and keyboard player Ofir Shwartz are reminiscent of how John McLaughlin and Jan Hammer used to play off each other, with each providing the backdrop for the other to solo against, while Yaniv Shalev (bass) and Yatziv Caspi (drums) are also given plenty of opportunities to show just what they can do.

This is jazz fusion, played by exponents of the art who know what they want to achieve, and can do just that. Moving forward to the current day, and Yatziv is still there with Yuval, although Ofir and Yaniv are not, and they are still very active and touring and playing internationally. This is incredible music, and there are more details on this plus everything else that is going on at his website, www.yuvalron.com. This is great music, and if you love electric jazz then this is simple indispensable.