Record Reviews

GIDI GOV ~ MANNERS HED ARZI 15178 (Barcode: 7293372517822) ~ ISRAEL ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1986 - 1987 Released: 1987 4th album by Israeli singer Gidi GovFind albums by this artist, one of the icons of Israeli music since the 1970s, which marks a change in his musical direction towards Rock, as opposed to his early lyrical, Jazz oriented material created in cooperation with Yoni RechterFind albums by this artist. Almost all the songs on this album were composed by another Israeli musical icon, Yehuda PolikerFind albums by this artist, with lyrics supplied by the best local lyricists like Eli MoharFind albums by this artist and Meir ArielFind albums by this artist. Gov´s vocal style changes significantly, with emphasis on the husky Rock intonation and his interpretations of the songs are absolutely brilliant. Accompanied by some of the best Rock players on the scene at the time, guitarist Erez NetzFind albums by this artist, bassist Ehud IngerFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Moshe LeviFind albums by this artist and drummer Jean Paul ZimbarisFind albums by this artist, the album remains as one of the best Israeli Rock recordings of all times. An absolute classic!

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

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