Record Reviews

MATTI CASPI ~ ORIGINAL ALBUMS VOL.2 NMC (ISRAEL) 22432 (Barcode: 7294276224328) ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1974 - 1984 Released: 2012 This is the 2nd Box Set collection of original albums by Israeli singer / composer Matti CaspiFind albums by this artist, one of the most important Israeli music figures, who played a central role on the emerging local music scene in the 1970s and in retrospect can be considered as one of the Godfathers of what we now consider as contemporary Israeli music. The set includes the following albums: "Matti CaspiFind albums with this title" – 1st album released in 1974, "Side A Side BFind albums with this title" – 3rd album released in 1978, "Matti Caspi Sings Sasha ArgovFind albums with this title" – 6th album released in 1982 and "Mattityahu And AlexanderFind albums with this title" – 8th album released in 1984. The eponymous debut album was one of the great milestones of Israeli music and influenced generations of Israeli musicians with its originality, wonderful melodic quality and above all its personal statement, which clearly expressed the belief in braking barriers and taboos in complete defiance of the commonly accepted standards. The 3rd album presents Caspi´s versions of the songs, which he wrote originally for other Israeli singers and which were initially performed by them. This album and its two predecessors show how in just a few years Caspi created a body of work, which immediately established his position of a leading Israeli songwriter and one of the leaders of the Israeli born generation of music makers, together with Shlomo GronichFind albums by this artist and Yoni RechterFind albums by this artist. The remaining two albums in the set are Caspi´s tribute to the remarkable talents of Alexander ArgovFind albums by this artist (aka. Sasha Argov), the most prominent first generation Israeli composer, who arrived in Israel from Russia in 1934 and who until his death in 1995 was the undisputed royal leader of the local music scene, admired, respected and loved by all Israelis. Argov´s incredible legacy of songs easily equals in its size, beauty, sophistication and originality to the songbooks of Irving BerlinFind albums by this artist, Jerome KernFind albums by this artist, George GershwinFind albums by this artist and other prominent Jewish composers. He brilliantly amalgamated the European Classical heritage, Russian folkloristic themes and the Middle Eastern influences to compose some of the most impressive songs ever written. Most of his songs used brilliant lyrics, mostly written by Israeli poets. Caspi selected some of the songs composed by Argov, arranging them in his very personal style and performs them with obvious respect and deep love, which ipso facto creates a wonderful bridge between the two generations. It´s probably worth mentioning that Caspi plays all the instruments on all these albums, quite brilliantly one might add, which only emphasizes his incredible talent. This is some of the best Israeli music ever made and of course it is absolutely essential listening. This reissue saves this music from the cruel fate of oblivion, which is a most commendable act of keeping our Culture alive. A must!

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 4 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Recommend To A Friend

AVISHAI COHEN / YONATHAN AVISHAI ~ PLAYING THE ROOM ECM 2641 (Barcode: 602577522772) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019 This is an album by the duo of Israeli Jazz musicians: trumpeter Avishai CohenFind albums by this artist and pianist Yonathan AvishaiFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, two original compositions (one each by the duo members), one by Israeli composer Alexander ArgovFind albums by this artist, five Jazz standards and one Pop standard. The music was recorded by Stefano AmerioFind albums by this artist and offers the expected sublime sound quality. It is the 3rd album by Cohen released on the ECMFind albums on this label label. The music is set in a highly melodic, almost romantic mood, relaxed and minimalist, emphasizing the beauty of the compositions and the intimacy of the duo setting, all in the “Art of the Duo” tradition. Both musicians toy with the melodies and rhythmic patterns playfully and charmingly, displaying their complete mastery of their respective instruments, eschewing any flashy displays or unnecessary ornamentation. One might wonder how these interpretations might have been received by the original composers (John ColtraneFind albums by this artist or Ornette ColemanFind albums by this artist for example), but they would probably just smile, despite the liberties the duo applied to the music. There is no doubt that the ECM mood and aesthetics were closely observed. Overall, this is a very elegant and highly polished Jazz album, which offers a pleasant listening experience for a wide spectrum of Jazz listeners, but displays the tendency of ECM producer Manfred EicherFind albums by this artist to clutch all the music produced by the label into a uniform aesthetic and aural mould, which at some cases stifles the spirit of the music. Personally I prefer the earlier recordings by Cohen, which display more adventurous approach, but his trumpet work is here, as always, beyond reproach.

Updated: 15/09/2024Posted: 15/09/2024

CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend

ARI EREV ~ A HANDFUL OF CHANGES NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 885767262577) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2011 Released: 2012 Almost four years after his sensational debut album, Israeli pianist / composer Ari ErevFind albums by this artist returns with his second album as a leader. As the title suggests, it´s all about changes, and therefore this outing is very different from the previous one in every respect. Whereas the debut was a classic piano trio album, with subtle, delicate and often introvert musical love-making, this one is joyous and energetic, recorded mostly in a quintet setting. Of the eleven compositions included herein, seven are Ari´s originals, two are by the great Israeli composer Alexander ArgovFind albums by this artist and the remaining two are standards. The quintet, which recorded most of the music, consists of prominent American (NY) tenor and soprano saxophonist Joel FrahmFind albums by this artist, Ari on piano, bass guitarist Arie VolinezFind albums by this artist, drummer Eitan ItzcovichFind albums by this artist and percussionist Gilad DobreckyFind albums by this artist. Bassist Tal RonenFind albums by this artist plays double bass on three tracks and reeds player Ofer ShapiroFind albums by this artist plays alto saxophone on one track and clarinet on another. The overall level of performance is absolutely spotless from start to finish, presenting sophisticated and intelligent mainstream Jazz, which is as good as anything recorded in America or Europe in the same category. Volinez and Itzcovich are a formidable rhythm section, with decades of playing together behind them; Shapiro delivers a wonderfully heartfelt clarinet work; Dobrecky ornaments the music with his rhythmic inventions, adding a slightly exotic tinge; Frahm plays beautifully and skillfully; but of course it´s Ari´s piano work that shines brightly and is exceptionally lovely throughout. His touch and intimate feel for the melody is absolutely gorgeous and as much as I try to forget it, it keeps reminding me of Bill EvansFind albums by this artist´ playing. My personal favorite track on this album is the wonderful piano / sax duet, which in its intimacy and nakedness presents the beauty of the music at its fullest. But of course the entire album is a feast from start to finish. I can only thank Ari and his cohorts for bestowing upon us all such wonderful music. It proves that the Israeli Jazz scene, regardless of the fact if it happens here or in the middle of NY, reached a maturity and professionalism I dreamt about since decades. Hats off Ari and may the (Jazz) Force be with you!

Updated: 06/03/2025Posted:

CD 1 Digipak 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

ROOSTERS ~ FIRST ALBUM / SECOND ALBUM (EXPANDED EDITION) HED ARZI 64540 (Barcode: 7293372454097) ~ ISRAEL ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 1961 - 1963 Released: 2005 This album collects the entire recording output by the legendary Israeli ensemble The RoostersFind albums by this artist (HaTarnegolim in Hebrew), which was the absolute "super-group" of the first generation of the Israeli entertainment scene in the early 1960s. The group was directed by Naomi PolaniFind albums by this artist, a strict and tyrannical but highly professional and talented artistic director, who managed to bring the ensemble to incredible tightness, with perfect vocal harmonies and theatrical presentation of their repertoire, which was years ahead of its time and far better and more ambitious that anything else created in the country at the time. The songs performed by the group were composed by the best Israel songwriters at the lime, like Moshe VilenskiFind albums by this artist and Alexander ArgovFind albums by this artist, and in time became an integral part of the Israeli cultural Pantheon. The ensemble had two lineups, each recording just one album, both are included here. The list of the ensemble members reads like the who´s who of the Israeli entertainment history and includes also their accordion player Tuval PeterFind albums by this artist, an incredibly talented musician, who singlehandedly accompanied the singers during their performances. The music is very hard to categorize, as it is truly a uniquely Israeli mixture of Eastern European song motifs, French chansonette, Middle Eastern melancholy and many other influences. These were the days when the country of Israel, the Israeli Nation and Israeli culture were being created, from scratch. The ensemble and its music had an enormous influence on the future of Israeli music, which was lucky to have such firm ground to learn from and emulate. This is timeless music of course, which lost absolutely nothing of its beauty, perfection and strength over the years. A classic!

CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend