Record Reviews
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  | SHEM TOV LEVY ~ IN THE MOOD (EXPANDED EDITION)
PHONOKOL 4257 (Barcode: 7296134425724) ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1976 Released: 2008
1st album by Israeli flautist / pianist / composer Shem Tov LevyFind albums by this artist – finally released on CD 32 years after it was originally recorded. Levy was of course one of Israel’s best and most talented musicians at the time and a bold innovator, pushing the boundaries of early Israeli Rock, mostly in the Prog direction. After this brilliant debut album, Levy was to join forces with Shlomo GronichFind albums by this artist and Shlomo YdovFind albums by this artist to form the legendary No NamesFind albums by this artist, and soon after another legendary ensemble SheshetFind albums by this artist. Levy composed and arranged all the music on this album, which includes 4 vocal tracks and 5 instrumentals. He also wrote the lyrics for two of the vocal tracks. On the two other vocal tracks Levy used poems written by famous Israeli poets Lea GoldbergFind albums by this artist and Dalia RabikovitchFind albums by this artist, as was quite customary in Israeli Prog on the 1970s. The brilliant melodies, which Levy composed, are perhaps the only truly “Israeli” music written at the time, full of Jazzy chord changes, polyrhythmic pulsation and clever incorporation of Middle Eastern motifs. The instrumental performances are brilliant, as he used the best players on the local scene at the time, like guitarist Yitzhak KlepterFind albums by this artist (ChurchillsFind albums by this artist, KaveretFind albums by this artist), bassist Ehud IngerFind albums by this artist, drummer / guitarist Haim RomanoFind albums by this artist, drummer Meir IsraelFind albums by this artist and many others. His flute playing is absolutely mind-blowing of course. He also arranged the music for the string ensemble, used on some of the tracks. In retrospect, this is an extraordinary debut album, full of exquisite music and endless timeless gems and definitely on of the best albums recorded in Israel in the 1970s. This new editions adds four bonus tracks, all great examples of Levy’s superb talent as composer and arranger, including an extra-rare live recording of a live No Names performance, singing a medley of Beatles songs with a typical humorous twist. An absolute classic!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | SHEM TOV LEVY ENSEMBLE ~ BEN ADAMA (SON OF THE EARTH)
TAV 8 (Barcode: 7290013087485) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion
Recorded: 2010 Released: 2010
Israeli flautist / pianist / vocalist / composer Shem Tov LevyFind albums by this artist is a pillar of the Israeli music scene. From his early work with Prog ensembles No NamesFind albums by this artist and Tuned ToneFind albums by this artist, his solo albums and numerous co-operations with all top Israeli musicians, his illustrious career is always characterized by meticulous execution and excellent ideas, as well as incredible sense of melody. He combines, perhaps better that any other Israeli musician, the heritage of East & West meeting together in a wonderful amalgam of modern music, which is second to none. It is with great joy that his fans are able to enjoy a renewed surge of activity displayed by this album, his second with the Shem Tov Levy EnsembleFind albums by this artist, which consists of some of the best instrumentalist on the local scene. This is wonderful and beautiful music, which embodies the spirit of music crossing genres and traditions. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | SHEM TOV LEVY ENSEMBLE ~ STATIONS
TAV 8 (Barcode: 7290011118631) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion
Recorded: 2006 Released: 2007
Israeli flautist / pianist / vocalist / composer Shem Tov LevyFind albums by this artist is a pillar of the Israeli music scene. From his early work with Prog ensembles No NamesFind albums by this artist and Tuned ToneFind albums by this artist, his solo albums and numerous co-operations with all top Israeli musicians, his illustrious career is always characterized by meticulous execution and excellent ideas, as well as incredible sense of melody. He combines, perhaps better that any other Israeli musician, the heritage of East & West meeting together in a wonderful amalgam of modern music, which is second to none. It is with great joy that his fans are able to enjoy a renewed surge of activity displayed by this album, his first with the Shem Tov Levy EnsembleFind albums by this artist, which consists of some of the best instrumentalist on the local scene. This is wonderful and beautiful music, which embodies the spirit of music crossing genres and traditions. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ A DIFFERENT TUNE 1, 2 & 3
HED ARZI 15756 (Barcode: 7293372575624) ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1975 - 1990 Released: 2000
This superb Box Set collects together the three volumes of the Israeli Prog compilation called "A Different TuneFind albums with this title", released separately over a period of two decades. These compilations contain some of the best and most daring music recorded in Israel over the years, which are examples of the incredible vitality of the local scene. Some of the material appears on albums released by the artists included here, but the compilations also include material never previously released commercially or released only as radio singles, etc. The scope is enormous and truly enlightening, especially for people less acquainted with Israeli Prog and Art Rock and therefore especially attractive as a comprehensive introduction to the scene. I recommend this Box Set wholeheartedly as it contains "pure musical gold" from start to finish and should appeal to any Prog fan around the world. For those familiar with the scene let me just throw in some names of the artists appearing here: No NamesFind albums by this artist, Fourteen OctavesFind albums by this artist, Shlomo GronichFind albums by this artist, Matti CaspiFind albums by this artist, Tuned ToneFind albums by this artist, Yoni RechterFind albums by this artist, Shem Tov LevyFind albums by this artist, Gidi GovFind albums by this artist and many, many more!
| | Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: | CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Recommend To A Friend |
  | SHLOMO YDOV ~ FROM WITHIN THE SILENCE
HIGH FIDELITY 016 (Barcode: 7290013013361) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 2009 Released: 2009
Veteran Israeli singer / songwriter / guitarist Shlomo YdovFind albums by this artist (No NamesFind albums by this artist, Tuned ToneFind albums by this artist) returns with a surprising instrumental album, which features his excellent acoustic guitar playing. Ydov composed ten of the twelve pieces on this album, all of which are beautifully melodic and all are flavored by South American and other World Music influences mixed with Jazzy improvisations and arrangements. Ydov´s guitar is wonderfully supported by the bass, played by the veteran bassist Eli MagenFind albums by this artist. An old friend, flautist Shem Tov LevyFind albums by this artist, guests on one track; percussionist Roni IvrinFind albums by this artist plays on three tracks and bandoneón player Amichay ShalevFind albums by this artist plays on two tracks. Altogether the album is an intimate meeting between the player / composer and the listener, which should be enjoyable for most music connoisseurs. Ydov´s melodies are well crafted and have the ability to remain fresh, even after repeated listening. His guitar playing is very skillful and wonderfully "round", and he avoids any flashy displays of "guitar madness", staying on track with exactly what is required. Definitely worth investigation!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | SHLOMO YDOV ~ THE FIRST TIME
NMC (ISRAEL) 83854 (Barcode: 7290003505944) ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1978 Released: 1995
1st album by Israeli singer / guitarist / composer Shlomo YdovFind albums by this artist. After No NamesFind albums by this artist disbanded, all 3 members embarked on their individual careers and this was Shlomo`s debut solo effort. It is one of the best Israeli Prog oriented albums ever, with wonderful melodies and beautiful instrumental performances by the best Israeli players. In retrospect this is still some of the nicest and most ambitious music ever recorded in Israel. Hebrew vocals.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
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