Airborne thoughts

Some places are more than just beautiful sceneries; they're like hidden corners of our hearts, full of memories that can stir up feelings we thought we'd forgotten.

“Le vrai paradis n'est pas sur la terre: il est perdu.” (Marcel Proust, “À la recherche du temps perdu”)

Welcome to one of those places. Picture a window to the sea that appears out of the blue between narrow alleys and ancient walls. Each time was a wonderful surprise, a quiet call that stopped you in your tracks and made you stop and smell the roses. 

You only needed a moment to get lost in the endless horizon, letting the wind brush against your skin and your breath fill with saltiness. And it's in that moment, in that quiet pause, that memories come flooding back. 

photo dated 2013-04-26

We think back to our youth, full of dreams and new experiences, friendships that were like flowers growing in the spring, words left unsaid because we were scared or too proud.

And then there are those people who were once the center of our world, but we let them go, not because we wanted to lose them, but because life sometimes takes us down unexpected paths. So they stay with us, tucked away in the deepest corners of our hearts, as memories that keep on living on.

This place was like a sanctuary for thoughts, a cozy spot where you could wait, return, or depart. Here, emotions could stretch out and dance with the sea breeze. But then, out of nowhere, the raucous of seagulls would break the magic, bringing you back to that little wall, where everything felt out of reach. 

But just one more look at the sea was enough to realize that, in the end, our bonds and emotions don't have any boundaries.

Where you leave your heart, your mind will always find its way back.

“Remembering” by Avishai Cohen is truly a fascinating piece, one of those songs that can tell a story without the need for words. When you listen to it, you are immediately struck by that subtle blend of nostalgia and hope. The title, which invokes the concept of remembrance, seems to suggest that each note is a fragment of memory, a little tale of lived experiences, almost as if it were charting an emotional map of the past.

What is immediately striking is the bass line: it is not simply the rhythmic support, but often turns into a real narrative voice. Avishai Cohen is a virtuoso who knows how to use the bass not only to give rhythm, but to express feelings in an almost poetic way. Around this line are improvisations and variations that, while maintaining a striking harmonic balance, open up a space where each musician can express himself freely. There is a continuous interweaving between well-defined structures and moments of improvisation that give rise to a very intense musical dialogue.

Cohen does not just write notes on a sheet of music, but is inspired by his personal experience and his roots, those Mediterranean and Eastern influences that permeate his music. It is as if, listening to “Remembering,” one can catch a glimpse of a journey, a kind of inner journey made up of memories and sensations that merge into a single sonic experience. 

He referred to this piece as if it were a personal diary, where each note becomes a symbol of a memory, a reflection on passing time. There is also that peculiarity of the structure of the piece: while being open and flexible, it manages to maintain an emotional and rhythmic coherence that captures the listener, guiding them on a journey that is both meditative and vibrant. 

This piece is an invitation to stop for a moment, to be lulled by sounds that speak directly to the heart. This fusion of technique, improvisation, and personal sensibility makes the piece suitable for moments when one wishes to contemplate the beauty of the past and roots, without ever relinquishing a spirit of innovation and spontaneity.