Tenor Saxophoneophonist and composer Ohad Talmor begins a bold new artistic cycle on the immersive double album Back to the Land. Seeking a fresh path, Talmor has embarked on a journey of rediscovery back to his musical roots and two of his musical heroes – Saxophoneophonist Ornette Coleman and his first Saxophone teacher Dewey Redman. The kaleidoscopic result is a celebration of their music heard through the ears and imagination of a 21st Century visionary. The trigger for this album was Talmor’s encounter with new music from Ornette Coleman that had been recorded by Ornette’s Quartet in a 1998 rehearsal featuring Talmor’s mentor and friend for over 30 years, Lee Konitz but which resurfaced only after Konitz’s passing. Talmor briefly heard this music in 1998, at the time of his meeting with Ornette. Upon hearing it again and after familiarizing himself with some of this music, Talmor devised a brand new repertoire, the content of which is an amalgam of improvised “Variations” loosely based on the Ornette material, thru-composed original music as well as some familiar Coleman and Redman tunes. Talmor began to gradually incorporate some of this music with his core trio of bassist Chris Tordini and drummer Eric McPherson, as well as various high-profile guest musicians until“ the whole thing took on a different life.”

Cover photos: Francesco Fedeli
Sculptures in cover photos: Antonio Massarutto
Graphic design: Fiona Ryan
Liner notes: Rio Saikairi
Photos: Francesco Fedeli, Ohad Talmor

All variations based on original compositions by Ornette Coleman. Those marked with asterisks previously unreleased. “Kathlyn Grey”, “New York”, “Peace Warriors” by Ornette Coleman (Print Text Music). “Mushi Mushi” and “Dewey’s Tune” composed by Dewey Redman (Dewred Music). All other compositions by Ohad Talmor (Ohad Talmor Music, SUISA). Recorded February 24, 25, 26 and April 17, 2023, at SEEDS, Brooklyn, by Joe Branciforte. Additional recording in Sao Paulo, March 2023. Additional post production on “Accords for Four” and “Accords for Five” by Joe Branciforte. Mixed and mastered at GreyFade Studios by Joe Branciforte. Intakt Records, P.O.Box, 8024 Zürich, Switzerland.