Karim Israel Unplugged
Côte West Winery
152 Dennison ST.
Oakland
Feb. 29, 2024
I found an empty table and took a seat in the back room of Côte West Winery, unsure what to expect. Surrounded by 20 or so others, most of them with a glass of wine in hand, I sensed a familial and comfortable vibe hanging low between the rafted ceiling. This small but dedicated crowd was here for Karim Israel of Arise Roots, performing an intimate acoustic set.
Israel shared the stage, err, carpet, with bandmate and guitarist Chris Brennan, both of whom had flown up from Los Angeles earlier that day. We were told that they had nearly missed the flight and that it had been delayed four times. But they’d made it, and they were ready to make up for lost time and perform some of their band’s works on a smaller scale.
They began slowly, understated and quiet. Brennan’s acoustic fingerpicking was precise and melodic, Israel’s voice gentle, floating, soft and breathy — a sound that felt effortless to listen to but must take great work to bring forth. When he asked if we could hear well, shouts of “turn it up!” came from several directions. The folky reggae soothed some and brought others to their feet, with many in the crowd singing along throughout. A gangly teen, fitted in a jacket with “Hirie” on the back, perked up noticeably as Israel introduced the track about said woman, and sang along, word for word.
On both original songs and covers such as Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song,” the performers brought warmth and freshness with their floating harmonies while maintaining a deeply familiar sound. Steel strings rang widely, as if the sounds themselves were calling out to their musical heroes. Their palpable joy brought folks to their feet, with many grooving by the end of the night. By their final song — “We have a flight to catch!” — nearly everyone was standing.
The set was far shorter than expected, but I do not believe anyone left disappointed. Located just five miles from the airport, the winery is ideal for this quick in-and-out performance, and afforded us an evening where it seemed everyone’s needs were tended. Delectable treats were had (empanadas from Pampa BBQ were on offer in the back), and the thin tendrils of a new community stretched out to touch each attendee. The gracious staff of Cote West (shoutout to Carissa, Michael, and Pablo), along with owner and winemaker Bret Hogan, have created something of a communal living room, a third space, in their industrial workspace. I can’t wait to see what they share with us next.
