The Squid's Ear Magazine


Michaeli, Milton / Asaf Shchori / Hamid Drake: Universal Butterfly (577 Records)

Bridging generations of creative music, pianist Milton Michaeli, double bassist Asaf Shchori, and drummer Hamid Drake form a vividly responsive trio, blending original compositions and improvisation into music shaped by jazz and Latin traditions, deep grooves, bowed textures, lyrical bass movement, spiritual rhythm, and inspirations from Sun Ra and Ras Michael.
 

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Personnel:



Milton Michaeli-piano

Asaf Shchori-double bass

Hamid Drake-drums

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UPC: 755491375617

Label: 577 Records
Catalog ID: CD-577R-5990-1
Squidco Product Code: 37390

Format: CDR
Condition: New
Released: 2026
Country: USA
Packaging: Digipack
Recorded at Levontin 7, in Tel Aviv, on July 10th, 2023, by Elad Kipnis.
Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

Artist Biographies

Milton Michaeli is an Israeli pianist known for his work with saxophonist Albert Beger, saxophonist David Bindman, and bassist Shay Hazan.

-Squidco 7/8/2026

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

Israeli double bassist and composer Asaf Shchori is active in jazz and improvised music, bringing a strong, open-eared bass voice to ensembles that range from exploratory trio settings to charged free-jazz contexts. His recent work includes the 577 Records trio release Universal Butterfly with pianist Milton Michaeli and drummer Hamid Drake, where he is also credited as a composer, along with appearances in projects led by Albert Beger, Stephen Horenstein, and Eli Hasson.

-Squidco 7/8/2026

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

"Hamid Drake (born August 3, 1955) is an American jazz drummer and percussionist. He lives in Chicago, IL but spends a great deal of time touring worldwide. By the close of the 1990s, Hamid Drake was widely regarded as one of the best percussionists in jazz and avant improvised music. Incorporating Afro-Cuban, Indian, and African percussion instruments and influence, in addition to using the standard trap set, Drake has collaborated extensively with top free-jazz improvisers. Drake also has performed world music; by the late 70s, he was a member of Foday Musa Suso's Mandingo Griot Society and has played reggae throughout his career.

Drake has worked with trumpeter Don Cherry, pianist Herbie Hancock, saxophonists Pharoah Sanders, Fred Anderson, Archie Shepp and David Murray and bassists Reggie Workman and William Parker (in a large number of lineups)

He studied drums extensively, including eastern and Caribbean styles. He frequently plays without sticks; using his hands to develop subtle commanding undertones. His tabla playing is notable for his subtlety and flair. Drake's questing nature and his interest in Caribbean percussion led to a deep involvement with reggae."

-Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamid_Drake)
7/8/2026

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:
Related Categories of Interest:

July 2026
Improvised Music
Jazz
Free Improvisation
European Improvisation, Composition and Experimental Forms
Chicago Jazz & Improvisation
Trio Recordings
New in Improvised Music
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