Record Reviews
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  | 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 |
  | 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 |
  | 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 |
  | SHLOMO YDOV ~ THE TIME IS-NOW
HELICON 94111 ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock
2nd album from 1985 by one of the most important Israeli musicians, who was a member of No Names. This album was recorded after Shlomo returned to Israel after his musical studies in the US and bears influences from jazz as well as Shlomo`s `native` South American roots. Some of the best Israeli players accompany him. Hebrew vocals.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
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