On Carving, Hoffman makes his musical statement in two languages--guitar and oud. From the up tempo, almost danceable oud featured on Brown Sugar, to the scat influenced guitar on Ras, the tracks on Carving weave between instruments and moods, continuing to explore the boundaries of Jazz. Hoffman describes his music on his album as “a bunch of different parts that come together in a way that feels right to me. It's not always straight forward or easy to define, but that's what makes life interesting".
Carving is also a very personal album, inspired by relationships with friends and family. One of the tracks is named after his wife, and three are named after friends. Ras, for example, is named after Avishai Cohen, whose personal and professional relationships with Amos span the better part 20 years. “I don't start writing a tune with a particular person or idea in mind," says Hoffman, “later it just hits me that the music fits with someone in my life". The disk was co-produced by Cohen and Hoffman.
Accompanying Hoffman on Carving are Ilan Salem (flute) Ilan Katchka (percussion) Gilad Abro (bass) and Amir Bresler (drums). It also features guest appearances by bassist Avishai Cohen, Itamar Doari and, Shai Maestro.
Carving is available in the US on iTunes.
