The title of saxophonist Shauli Einav's third album, Generations, hints at the breadth of source material the young Israeli-born musician has explored in assembling this collection. Einav contributes two original tunes, "Thermo Blues" and "Renewal," but the bulk of the set comes from the pens of some of the finest writers and players in the history of jazz with John Coltrane, Harold Land and Don Byas all contributing to this admirable and enjoyable album.  Einav's previous album, Opus One (Plus Loin Music, 2010) was also a quintet outing, but Generations features an all-new lineup of players. Bassist Or Bareket and drummer Eliot Zigmund form a solid, hard driving, rhythm duo. As part of the rhythm section veteran pianist Don Friedman is particularly effective when comping under the soloists. He's also an imaginative soloist in his own right, adding some quirky phrases to the duo of Land compositions, "As You Like It" and "Compulsion."  Itai Kriss joins Einav on the front line for some of the tunes. His flute works well as a partner to Einav's tenor, the instruments' contrasting tones giving added depth to the sound. On Andrew Hill's "Land Of Nod" the contrast works to excellent effect, Kriss' light, soft, sound a counterpoint to Einav's rougher-edged sax. The combination is less effective when Einav moves to soprano sax, as he does on his own composition, "Renewal." The tune is catchy and upbeat but Einav and Kriss have similar tones and the resulting sound lacks the depth and variation of the tenor and flute pairing.  Most of the tunes on Generations are mid- to up-tempo, making the most of Bareket and Zigmund's powerhouse bass and drums combo. The most striking number on the album bucks that trend, showcasing the players' control and emotional strengths. Einav's take on Coltrane's "Crescent" is beautiful, a mellow and graceful performance, beautifully recorded. It's run a close second by another ballad, Byas' "Gloria," on which the interplay between Einav's tenor and Friedman's piano brings Generations to its impressive close. --Bruce Lindsay, All About JazzShauli Einav is an up and coming jazz saxophonist from Israel. He has a light and buoyant tone that is very appealing on tenor and soprano saxophones and the remainder of the group consists of Itai Kriss on flute, Don Friedman on piano, Or Bareket on bass and Eliot Zigmund on drums. Thermo Blues opens the album with the quartet playing with great dexterity, and the leader moves from a choppy theme into a confident tenor saxophone solo. There is a medium tempoed jaunty swing on The More I See You where Freidman s rippling piano leads the band into a deep and accessible swing. The flute of Itai Kriss enters on As You Like It intertwined with Einav s saxophone. In the pocket bass and drums are quite supportive of a lengthy flute solo. Musicians trade phrases, and then take the tune out. Saxophone and flute again intertwine on Land of Nod where an interesting drum rhythm sets up some strong, gutsy tenor saxophone, and then there is a section of subtle bubbling percussion with the softer breath of flute. Renewal is also a very exciting song, with Einav switching to soprano saxophone, and the light tone of that instrument combined with flute make for a light and airy sound. Saxophone and extended flute solos follow before the two instruments return to harmony and a driving drum feature leads to a graceful fade out. This album worked quite well, and mainstream jazz fans should find much to interest them. The combined front line of saxophone and flute made for an appealing combination and the rhythm section played very well whether supporting or soloing. --Tim Niland - Music And MoreIsraeli born saxophonist Shauli Einav announces his presence with authority on Generations! If you are not a fan of straight ahead jazz then you can be excused. If you are a fan of straight ahead jazz the Generations from Shauli Einav is improvisational music with muscle. As a composer Einav is scary good with his own composition "Thermo Blues" easily passing for what could have been a long lost Hank Mobley tune. For any saxophonist to cover a Coltrane tune is a huge risk as it is either feast or famine, to cover "Crescent" is going all in on your talents with perhaps "Giant Steps" the only other composition in the Coltrane discography that has achieved similar Holy Grail status (note - so many people cover "Naima" it has become cliche). To play the ballad "Crescent" is one thing, to pull that almost elusive soulful quality from someplace deep and execute this tune with a slightly breathy almost Ben Webster like quality means you have just made jazz sexy again!  The rhythm section for these sessions can not be over looked with the great Don Friedman on piano. Rounding off the rhythm section we have Or Bareket on bass and Eliot Zigmund on drums and taking an important role if guiding this rhythmically induced quintet to perhaps even great heights than would normally be expected. Einav's technical ability on both tenor and soprano indicate an artist that has not only done his theoretical homework but embraces the harmonic possibilities that are held secret within each instrument. There are hundreds of saxophone players in the naked city that can play the notes, there are very few that can make the music! Criticism? More from flautist Itai Kriss would have only added to the incredible richness of the release but to go further would be to split hyper-critical hairs. Shauli Einav posses that innate gift of swing that most modern day players seemingly shy away from. Einav is one of those rare complete package artists that Posi-Tone continues to pull out of thin air with the end result being that blast from the past sound reminiscent of the classic Blue Note sessions from the mid 1960's. Shauli Einav may not be a household name but he is definitely a name to remember! --Brent Black - @CriticalJazz