Record Reviews
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  | 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 |
  | MIKI GAVRIELOV / SWING DE GITANES ~ MIKI GAVRIELOV / SWING DE GITANES
HIGH FIDELITY (Barcode: 7290013014375) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 2010 Released: 2010
Veteran Israeli bassist / vocalist / songwriter Miki GavrielovFind albums by this artist, who belongs to the first generation of Israeli Rockers (he was the bass player of the legendary ChurchillsFind albums by this artist), remains a central figure on the local scene. With hundreds of songs to his credit and cooperation with the most famous and revered Israeli artists (like Arik EinsteinFind albums by this artist), Gavrielov earned a well deserved reputation of superb songwriter. In parallel he re-discovered his ethnic background and incorporated many World Music elements in his music over the years. This superb album brings him together with the Israeli Gypsy Jazz trio Swing De GitanesFind albums by this artist, which for several years developed a unique style of acoustic Jazz in the tradition of Django ReinhardtFind albums by this artist. The album presents new original music composed almost entirely by Gavrielov and performed by him with the trio and a few guest musicians. The cooperation works out splendidly and the result is a true little gem, which can be enjoyed by any music lover blessed by open ears and mind alike.
| | | 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 |
  | HIGH WINDOWS ~ HIGH WINDOWS (EXPANDED EDITION)
HED ARZI 64748 (Barcode: 7293372474897) ~ ISRAEL ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1967 - 1968 Released: 2007
Only album by the Israeli vocal trio, which included Arik EinsteinFind albums by this artist, Shmulik KrausFind albums by this artist and Josie KatzFind albums by this artist, and which is considered as the first original Israeli Pop album ever recorded. Strongly influenced by the BeatlesFind albums by this artist and other (then) contemporary Pop and Rock groups, the High WindowsFind albums by this artist recorded a superb set of songs in Hebrew (all written by Kraus), using vocal harmonies and instrumental arrangements, which were completely revolutionary at the time. Israeli music up to that point was based mainly on East-European melodies and folksy approach and this was the first attempt to create a local scene modeled after Western Pop. The musical “establishment” at the time received this music with harsh criticism (The Beatles were not allowed to play in Israel to avoid the “bad” influence on local youth) and some of the songs were banned by the censor from being played on the radio. But the public loved the songs and the album soon became one of the most popular Israeli albums of all times. It had a crucial influence on the local scene and soon after an entire new generation of local musicians would start to create original Israeli Pop and Rock, including Progressive Rock. It is interesting to notice that the instrumental work and arrangements on this album were done by a brilliant piano player Ziggy SkarbnikFind albums by this artist, a legendary figure of the early days of both Israeli Rock and Jazz, who unfortunately died of cancer at an incredibly young age. The drummer was no other than Zohar LevyFind albums by this artist, another legendary figure. Listening to this album 40 years after it was recorded can be quite revealing and the realization of how brilliant this stuff was and still is becomes inevitable. A must! This expanded edition (marking the albums 40th anniversary) adds a whole second CD of bonus material, which is insanely rare and most of it never saw the light of day. These include live material recorded at the Paris Olympia hall, French and UK singles (in French and English) released in Europe, in short some of the rarest Israeli archival material.
| | | CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | YONI RECHTER / ELI MOHAR ~ THOUGHTS AND POSSIBILITIES
HED ARZI 15690 (Barcode: 7293372569029) ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1995 Released: 1995
2nd album sharing the names of these two Israeli music makers (Yoni RechterFind albums by this artist - composer and Eli MoharFind albums by this artist – lyricist), but in fact they have been life-long friends and co-writers of hundreds of songs recorded by all top Israeli artists, including Gidi GovFind albums by this artist, Arik EinsteinFind albums by this artist and many more. Rechter is a superb composer and his unique lyricism and skill to craft touching and memorable melodies make him the most important Israeli songwriter in the last decades. Mohar, a romantic poet and publicist, wrote some of the most touching and beautiful song lyrics ever written in the Hebrew language (of course the non-Hebrew speaking people are unfortunately unable to enjoy and appreciate those). Together they are simply unbeatable – every song is a pearl and an everlasting addition to their songbook. As if all this is not enough, this album has a bonus value: Rechter and Mohar invited all the top Israeli singers to be guest vocalist and they are featured on some of the songs. The list includes Gidi Gov, Danny SandersonFind albums by this artist, Ephraim ShamirFind albums by this artist, Alon OleartchikFind albums by this artist (all four were members of the legendary KaveretFind albums by this artist group with Rechter), Yehudith RavitzFind albums by this artist, Arik Einstein and others – a true who’s who of the Israeli music scene. This is an important album for the local music scene, one that will remain fresh for many years to come.
Side note: Eli Mohar died of cancer a week before these lines were written. His amazing talent was always an inspiration for me and his memory will be treasured as long as I live.
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