Sam Barsh: I Forgot What You Taught Me

Sam Barsh is one of those delightful free spirits, one who agrees to pose naked on the back cover of his debut CD save for a strategically placed melodica covering his butt. His music is cheeky as well, which seems to be dedicated to his rigid but well-meaning music teachers. A former member of the Avishai Cohen Trio, Barsh has created a quirky-but-endearing pop-jazz CD with many pleasing moments perfect for a bright Sunday morning with a cup of joe. “Plans Change” and “This Is the Song” are simple and enjoyable, but the real fun begins with songs like “Wake Up and Smile,” Barsh’s melodica answering Tim Collins’ vibes work.

Throw in some dub (“George Dub”), easy sway (“nuTrance”) and the mesmerizing loop of “Jew Hefner,” and you have one fine contemporary jazz CD, lean and so fun to listen to. Don’t know if his jazz teachers would approve, but I Forgot What You Taught Me is a hell of a sweet listen. Holding down the bottom admirably are Ari Folman-Cohen on bass and Jaimeo Brown on drums.

Originally Published June 1, 2008