Record Reviews

SHMULIK KRAUS ~ A CRIMINAL RECORD MIO 007 ~ ISRAEL ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 Israeli singer / songwriter Shmulik KrausFind albums by this artist is one of the founders of Israeli Pop / Rock. A member of the first legendary Israeli Pop group - The High WindowsFind albums by this artist - he wrote scores of tunes, many of which are considered as classics today. He still continues to write and record. This album was his second solo effort and was written entirely while Kraus was imprisoned after a drug related trial. Accompanied by some first rate musicians (like Haim RomanoFind albums by this artist - the guitarist of The ChurchillsFind albums by this artist and Aharon KaminskyFind albums by this artist - later of The PlatinaFind albums by this artist) he delivers a fiery set of songs which mix pop, rock and psychedelia. A piece of history!

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

PLATINA ~ THE GIRL WITH THE FLAXEN HAIR MIO 030 ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1976 Released: 2003 PlatinaFind albums by this artist were the most important Israeli Jazz Fusion band in the 1970s and this first time release of their "lost" 3rd album is a monumental event on the local scene. Led by Roman KuntsmanFind albums by this artist, a gifted player and composer who immigrated to Israel in 1971 from the USSR, and Israeli-born drummer Aharon KaminskyFind albums by this artist they performed extensively and recorded two albums, which were amongst the first Israeli jazz albums ever recorded. The music is most interesting and well performed, including the bonus live tracks. Kuntsman`s tragic death in 2002 was a terrible blow to the local jazz scene.

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

EPHRAIM & ASTAR SHAMIR ~ EPHRAIM & ASTAR SHAMIR NMC (ISRAEL) 82076 (Barcode: 7290003300389) ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1977 Released: 1993 This little known gem of Israeli music was the first album by Ephraim ShamirFind albums by this artist (freshly out of KaveretFind albums by this artist) and his (then) wife Astar ShamirFind albums by this artist. The list of musicians reads like a who`s who of Israeli Rock at that time, including such names as Yoni RechterFind albums by this artist, Shem Tov LevyFind albums by this artist, Alon OleartchikFind albums by this artist and the best Israeli jazz players such as Morton KammFind albums by this artist on saxophones and Aharon KaminskyFind albums by this artist on drums. In short the entire Israeli music community helped the newly wed to create one of the best ever Israeli Prog albums, with hounting melodies and superb arrangements. Astar is considered the pioneering Israeli singer to perform her own material and her beautiful voice is well documented here, as are some of her excellent songs (the rest of the material is mostly written by Ephraim). Definitely worth checking out!

CD 1 Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend