The Secret Music Project
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The Secret Music Project

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"Haggai Cohen Milo: The Secret Music Project"

(GRAHAM PILSWORTH ON THU, JUL 16, 2009)

Friends, the secret of The Secret Music Project can now be revealed.
Last night in the Sonic Temple's intimate surroundings, Israeli composer/bassist/improvisor Haggai Cohen Milo revealed over a set of ridiculously infectious music that he's in the soul restoration business. Yessiree. He is!

Bandmates, exquisitely talented Spanish pianist Alex Conde Carrasco, Keita Ogawa, a flashhand on percussion and Milo's musical partner of 5 years, irrepressibly likeable Matan Chapnizka on tenor sax - Milo on double bass- delighted a near capactiy crowd with shoulder-shaker, foot bouncing Middle Eastern music in effervescent time signatures: 7/4 and 5/4. This music defied you to sit stolidly frozen in place.

One of the solid plusses of catching this wonderful group in the Sonic Temple (apart from the crystalline sound quality) was the audience's closeness to the musicians. Like a house concert really. That meant we could see expressions on the players'
faces. Like for instance: Milo's open-mouthed beams of pleasure as ripping solos were unleashed; soaking-in-a-warm-bath looks of utter bliss listening to a bandmate's instrumental offering; and the hawk-eyed attentiveness to leader Milo's musical cues and shifts. Thus you felt
a sense of inclusiveness. Alluring Yemeni melody (chants in the Arabic scale) and rhythmic strictures, Israeli dance synchopations each gloriously benefited from Milo's always gem-like
crafted, tune-filled compositions.

These were well-served by his band's consummate musicianship: Carrasco's precise, cool, smart piano work, Chapnizka's joyfully passionate sax interplay, Ogawa's astonishingly fast-witted musical transits on percussion and Milo's own powerfully assured, melodious bass playing. One unexpected mid-set oddity. A bebop bass/sax duet. "Our intermission," Chapnizka cracked.

A great evening. Souls restored, I believe. - The Coast, Newspaper (Canada)


Discography

(The following are partial lists)

Haggai Cohen Milo appears on:
1. Bliss (Ilan Bar-Lavi) '08
2. World Collective (Daniel Wright) '08
3. The Duet (Omer Klein / Haggai Cohen Milo) '07

Matan Chapnizka appears on:
1. BBQ (Juan Andres Ospina) '09
2. Bliss (Ilan Bar-Lavi) '08
3. World Collective (Daniel Wright) '08
4. Old New School (with the band "Moontit" for "Jazz Revelation Records") '08
5. Random Thoughts (Yaniv Shulman for "Aleph-Zero" Label) '05

Alex Conde appears on:
1. Jazz & Claps (Alex Conde) '09
2. El lenguaje del Corazón (Juanito Pascual) '09
3. Common Ground for the Jazz Revelation Records label '08

Keita Ogawa appears on:
1. Mizuho Yahara for House of Jazz Records, '08
2. Hiromi Suda for Teftef Records, '08
3.[ki:r](Sylvie Bourban for Vizir Records) '08
4. River (OYARI) '08
5. 27 (Four Leaf Sound) '07

Photos

Bio

--- Secret Music Project live recording coming later this 2009 fall !!! ---

"Haggai Cohen Milo revealed over a set of ridiculously infectious music that he's in the soul restoration business. Yessiree. He is!" (Graham Pilsworth, "The Coast", Canada).

The Secret Music Project was founded with the idea in mind of creating a new environment for musical expression and improvisation. The group tries to achieve more freedom inside of a folk-oriented frame. Born and raised in different corners of the world, members of the band have been influenced by a variety of lifestyles, cultures, and of course musical genres. When together, The Secret Music Project endorses these distinctions and uses them to create a unique musical sound.

Since its formation in 2006 by bassist and composer Haggai Cohen Milo, the group has performed internationally in various festivals and venues, such as the Aspen Jazz Festival (Colorado), Atlantic Jazz Festival (Canada) and First Night Festival (Boston). Members of the band have gained critical acclaim in the music world, collaborating with prominent jazz and world music figures; touring extensively all over the world; and receiving reviews and recognition from the "New York Times", "Boston Globe", "DownBeat Magazine" and "All About Jazz", among other prestigious magazines and newspapers.

From the pure melody lines and rhythm through the individual's improvisational voice, The Secret Music Project conveys a message that is on one hand complex and intelligent and on the other hand deep and emotional.