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South African-born, Jerusalem-based bassist and composer Yosef Gutman (Levitt) is known for his soulful, searching approach to the five-string acoustic bass guitar. After stepping away from music for a decade, Gutman returned in 2018 to establish Soul Song Records, building an acclaimed catalogue of spirit-led improvisational folk-jazz. He is joined by French/Israeli pianist Yonathan Avishai, an acclaimed ECM recording artist famed for his minimalist spatial touch, blues-tinged lyricism, and deep involvement in exploring Jewish liturgical traditions.

Recorded across two days in Jerusalem, Perfect Traveler originated as raw, spontaneous duets between Gutman’s acoustic bass guitar and Avishai’s expressive piano. The 14-piece collection captures spontaneous patterns and improvisations left unedited, and later layered with subtle woodwind arrangements by Gilad Ronen, sensitive drumming by Daniel Dor, and Gutman’s spoken-word poetry. Balancing original compositions with melodies from the Yemenite and Moroccan Jewish repertoires, the album treats sacred tradition as a living, transformative force, rather than as an historical artifact.

The record's contemplative arc shines from the opening as "Channel Small" sets the pattern for the album’s spoken-word content, in which Gutman's spoken poetry floats gracefully above delicate bass arpeggios and shimmering piano chords. “Modeh Ani,” and “Forward” and "Where Falling Becomes Flying" follow a similar pattern, as each showcases Gutman’s conversational, spoken reflections unfolding gently against the warm resonance of his various bass instruments and Avishai's supportive chords.  Elsewhere, as on "Dror Yikra," and “I Want To Be More,” Avishai’s sparse, resonant keys and Ronen’s expressive woodwinds illuminate centuries-old devotional melodies.

Ultimately, Perfect Traveler is an uplifting, deeply moving listening experience for our readers - a serene masterclass in space, spontaneous melody, and spiritual union.