Record Reviews
12 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.
  | DAPHNE ARMONY ~ DAPHNE ARMONY
NMC (ISRAEL) 57024 ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1986 Released: 1995
1st album by the extremely talented Israeli singer Daphne ArmonyFind albums by this artist, who sang backing vocals for many Israeli top acts before recording this debut album. Almost all of the tunes here were written by her ex-boss Shalom HanochFind albums by this artist and a couple are Daphne`s own. She sings superbly and a great cast of musicians accompanies her with some jazzy undertones. This is one of the best Israeli albums ever for me and it is such a pity that Daphne`s career never actually materialized.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ARIK EINSTEIN / SHALOM HANOCH ~ SHABLOOL (EXPANDED EDITION)
PHONOKOL 4193 ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock
One of the most important Israeli albums in all times, this 1970 album by Arik EinsteinFind albums by this artist / Shalom HanochFind albums by this artist received a cult status in Israel. The songs (all written by Hanoch) are all evergreens and Israeli Pop anthems. The singers are accompanied by the members of the legendary ChurchillsFind albums by this artist and a few guest jazz musicians. The songs were used as a soundtrack to the cult TV series "Lool" and also incorporated into films directed by Uri ZoharFind albums by this artist. This stuff is the best Israeli Psychedelic Rock ever made and it aged wonderfully, as it is as pleasing today as it was then. An absolute must for every lover of Isreali early Rock!
| | | CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | ARI EREV ~ ABOUT TIME
NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 094922849564) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2007 Released: 2008
1st album by Israeli Jazz pianist / composer Ari ErevFind albums by this artist. The title is most appropriate, as Ari has been playing and composing for quite a while and it’s about time for us to enjoy the fruits of his labor. The album presents him in a piano trio setting (my favorite Jazz format) with Israeli veterans Yorai OronFind albums by this artist on bass and Gideon PasahovFind albums by this artist on drums. Of the thirteen tunes played six are original compositions, five are standards (two of them not surprisingly by Bill Evans) and the remaining two are his interpretations of Israeli evergreens by Shalom HanochFind albums by this artist and Nurit HirshFind albums by this artist. It’s pretty obvious, from the very first few chords on this album, that Ari is deeply inspired by the piano work of Bill EvansFind albums by this artist, with Evans’ spirit hovering over his shoulder at all times. The choice of material, the delicate touch, the intrinsic melancholy are all signatures of the great Master. Of course Ari manages carefully to avoid the trap of becoming an Evans impersonator, and his own personal approach is strong enough to indicate his own input. Overall this is a splendid album, quiet and introversive, full of beauty and romance. Considering the fact that this is a first of its kind recording in Israeli Jazz, I can only congratulate him for this wonderful gift to our country’s cultural legacy and Jazz achievements. Most warmly recommended!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | NURIT GALRON ~ SONGS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
NMC (ISRAEL) 84851 (Barcode: 7290003300662) ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1981 Released: 1990
3rd album by Israeli singer Nurit GalronFind albums by this artist, who dominated the Israeli music scene in the late 1970s and through the 1980s, dedicating most of her output to interpretations of songs written especially to words by great Israeli poets. This album was the first and most important breakthrough in that genre and here Galron sings eleven sublime songs written by the best Israeli composers, like Yoni RechterFind albums by this artist, Matti CaspiFind albums by this artist, Shalom HanochFind albums by this artist, Ilan WirtzbergFind albums by this artist (with whom Galron cooperated extensively) and others, all composed especially for this album to the poems of Natan ZachFind albums by this artist, one of the most important contemporary Israeli poets. Accompanied by best Israeli players at the time, this album is a masterpiece in every respect and to this day one of the greatest albums recorded in Israel. Although non Hebrew speaking listeners can not appreciate the beauty and profoundness of the lyrics, still the exquisite melodies and Galron´s crystal clear vocals and sensitive delivery should enchant every music lover beyond the Hebrew texts. Absolutely essential to every lover of Israeli music!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | NURIT GALRON ~ SONGS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT (EXPANDED EDITION)
NMC (ISRAEL) 22472 (Barcode: 7294276224724) ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1981 Released: 2013
This is the third album by Israeli singer Nurit GalronFind albums by this artist, who was one of the most influential and revered Artists on the local scene in the late 1970s and through the 1980s. Galron was a gallant pioneer of the Music & Poetry movement, which had a loyal following at the time and brought modern Israeli poetry to a much wider audiences than just the poetry buffs. This album is dedicated solely to the poetry written by the sublime Israeli poet Natan ZachFind albums by this artist, and includes eleven of his poems which had music composed to by the absolutely crème de la crème of young Israeli composers like Yoni RechterFind albums by this artist, Matti CaspiFind albums by this artist, Shalom HanochFind albums by this artist, Ilan WirtzbergFind albums by this artist, Shlomo YdovFind albums by this artist, Hanan YovelFind albums by this artist and also (one of the songs) by the Godfather of Israeli songwriting Alexander ArgovFind albums by this artist. She is accompanied by a dreamy team of the best instrumentalist active on the scene at the time, which includes, besides the composers themselves, also flautist Shem Tov LevyFind albums by this artist, bassist Miki ShavivFind albums by this artist, drummer Alon HillelFind albums by this artist and many others.
These beautiful songs have been an integral part of the Israeli cultural legacy for over three decades now, completely untouched by time and sounding now better than ever. The beauty of the melodies combined with the depth of Zach´s exquisite poems is simply an unbeatable combination with an everlasting added value. In retrospect this is one of the true Israeli music classic recordings, matched only by a few others over time. It also served as an inspiration for generation of young Israeli songwriters and singer to combine the better of the two worlds: music and poetry, which still is felt today.
This expanded edition adds a whole CD of bonus material, which is part of a concert, recorded live by the radio and is released here for the first time. The concert celebrated Zach´s new book of poetry ("Northeasterly") published in 1979, and was an inspiration to this album, released a couple of years later.
| | | CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | JONATHAN GEFFEN / DANNY LITANI ~ IT`S ALL FOR NOW, FOR NOW IT`S ALL
PHONOKOL 4158 (Barcode: 7296134415824) ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1974 Released: 2001
Following the 1973 Yom Kippur war Israel was swept by a tidal wave of public anti-government protest, which eventually led to radical changes both in Israeli society and the state´s government. The protest was often spearheaded by Israeli intellectuals, including writers, poets and musicians. During that period writer / poet / satirist Jonathan GeffenFind albums by this artist and singer / composer Danny LitaniFind albums by this artist combined forces and presented a live show, which included music, sketches, standup comedy and a lot of political satire, which proved to be immensely successful with the Israeli public. This album, originally a double LP, presents a live recording of the show, with the leader supported by excellent musicians and friends, including Matti CaspiFind albums by this artist, Shalom HanochFind albums by this artist and Ariel ZilberFind albums by this artist. Litani wrote most of the original music in the show except a few songs by Bob DylanFind albums by this artist, with lyrics translated into Hebrew by Geffen, who wrote also all the original lyrics and spoken texts. This is a great document of the time and a great fun, with most of the satire being completely relevant today, 35 years later.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | SHALOM HANOCH ~ A MAN WITHIN HIMSELF (EXPANDED EDITION)
NMC (ISRAEL) 20962 (Barcode: 7294276209622) ~ ISRAEL ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1977 Released: 2010
This is the 2nd album by the Godfather of Israeli Rock, Shalom HanochFind albums by this artist, and one of the best Israeli Rock albums ever recorded. Following years of cooperation with another Israeli legendary Pop / Rock figure, the singer Arik EinsteinFind albums by this artist, which resulted in a series of early Israeli classic Rock albums, Hanoch tried to establish a solo career in Britain, where his debut album "ShalomFind albums with this title" (sung in English) was released in 1971 and later moved to the US.
Upon his return to Israel in 1973, Hanoch continued his cooperation with other Israeli musicians, which led to the formation of TamouzFind albums by this artist, the most important Israeli Rock group of the 1970s. After Tamouz disbanded in 1976, Hanoch embarked on a solo career, which opened with the recording of this superb classic album. Surrounded by the elite of Israeli Rock and Jazz musicians, which included keyboardist Alona TurelFind albums by this artist, guitarist Haim KarioFind albums by this artist, bassist Ehud IngerFind albums by this artist and drummer Alon HillelFind albums by this artist, Hanoch recorded seven brilliant new songs, which were meticulously arranged and exquisitely performed by all participants.
All the tracks on this album clock at around 7 minutes each, which proves that the album was an ambitious attempt to create serious and intelligent music, full of Prog and Jazz references, with extended instrumental passages and artistic freedom guiding the entire creative process. In retrospect this album presents a milestone of Israeli Rock, which stands the test of time with ease.
The new expanded edition includes bonus tracks and a DVD documenting a live TV recording of the entire album and more. An absolute classic!
| | | CD+DVD 2 Slipcase Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | SHALOM HANOCH ~ ORIGINAL ALBUMS
NMC (ISRAEL) 7294276224687 (Barcode: 7294276224687) ~ ISRAEL ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1987 - 1997 Released: 2013
This is a Box Set collection of four original albums by Israeli songwriter / singer / guitarist Shalom HanochFind albums by this artist, the undisputed Godfather of Israeli Rock. The albums are: "Only HumanFind albums with this title" released in 1988 (originally a double LP, recorded partly in London), "This Time AroundFind albums with this title" released in 1991, "ViolenceFind albums with this title" released in 1994 and "Evening EveningFind albums with this title" released in 1997. These albums cover Hanoch´s work done in the 1990s, which was received rather coldly at the time, but in retrospect proved to be one of the most fruitful periods of his career.
From the early days of his activity on the local scene in the late 1960s, when he worked with singer Arik EinsteinFind albums by this artist creating the first original Israeli Rock songs, Hanoch established a unique musical style as a composer and an individual delivery as a singer. These basic characteristics constantly developed over the years but in fact never changed Hanoch´s fundamental approach, which is straight-forward and honest above all and lacks mannerisms and platitudes. His lyrics, often very personal, always originate in his personal experiences, feelings and frustrations; broken relationships, social issues, injustice and violence.
Over the years Hanoch never stopped to be a true Rocker, ignoring fashions and fads and remaining true to his convictions. His legacy includes hundreds of wonderful songs, many of which belong to the best ever written by Israeli songwriters and represent the Israeli Culture at its best. These four albums include a whole universe of music, which although being very much Israeli, is also marvelously universal. Essential stuff!
| | Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: | CD 4 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Recommend To A Friend |
  | TAMOUZ ~ THE ORANGE SEASON IS OVER (30TH ANNIVERSARY EXPANDED EDITION)
NMC (ISRAEL) 81095 (Barcode: 7290010932719) ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1975 - 1976 Released: 2006
Only album by the legendary group TamouzFind albums by this artist. Although basically a forcefull rock group, they were strongly influenced by Prog and psychedelics. This group included two of the most famous Israeli rockers and great composers: Shalom HanochFind albums by this artist and Ariel ZilberFind albums by this artist. Full of energy and dynamics, this is one of the best Israeli rock albums of all times. Hebrew vocals. The new edition includes a superb live concert recording from 1975 where the group stretches the album songs with long instrumental improvisations. A piece of history!
| | | CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | THREE`NGERS ~ THREE`NGERS (40TH ANNIVERSARY EXPANDED EDITION)
HED ARZI 64927 (Barcode: 7293372649271) ~ ISRAEL ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1969 - 1970 Released: 2009
The Israeli trio The Three`ngersFind albums by this artist ("Shlosharim" in Hebrew) included the top male vocalists on the local scene at the end of the 1960s: Shalom HanochFind albums by this artist, Hanan YovelFind albums by this artist and Benny AmdurskyFind albums by this artist. Their combined vocal abilities, Hanoch´s incredible songwriting (he composed most of the songs), brilliant lyrics written by the best lyricists active at the time (Jonathan GeffenFind albums by this artist and others) and beautiful arrangements by Misha SegalFind albums by this artist turned the only album recorded by this group into an instant Israeli Pop / Rock classic. Musically daring and completely different from most of the music created on the local scene at the time, these songs and performances withstand the test of time with flying colors and sound as fresh and exciting as they did at the time. This new edition expands the original album with additional songs, originally released on an EP, which has been unavailable for decades, as well as a DVD with TV appearances by the group. Way beyond nostalgia, this is a beautiful reminder of the exciting times when musical breakthroughs were happening everywhere, including Israel. Great stuff!
| | | CD+DVD 2 Slipcase Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
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