Record Reviews

NATURAL GATHERING ~ BEYOND THE WALLS HED ARZI 15328 (Barcode: 7293372532825) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion Recorded: 1985 - 1987 Released: 1993 5th album by Israeli ensemble Natural GatheringFind albums by this artist formed and led by Shlomo BarFind albums by this artist. Bar presents here another set of his original compositions (except for one song), three of which accompany texts by Rabi David HassinFind albums by this artist, one by the great Israeli poet Lea GoldbergFind albums by this artist (who seems to be his favorite as he returns to her texts time after time) and one by old collaborator playwright / poet Yehoshua SobolFind albums by this artist. One of the tracks is an instrumental. Bar expands his input and in addition to his vocals and percussion, he also plays flute. Violinist Samson KhamkarFind albums by this artist adds his usual wonderful ornaments and the four other members of the ensemble: Ellen DanFind albums by this artist – oboe, Menashe SassonFind albums by this artist – santoor, Yechiel HassonFind albums by this artist – guitar and Emanuel MannFind albums by this artist – bass (his fretless bass is quite extraordinary) create a superb fabric of sounds which take the listener on a magic carpet ride between North Africa, India, Persia and the Middle East. Overall this album is darker and more contemplative than the previous output by the band, perhaps reflecting the leader´s state of mind at the time. Nevertheless this album is surely another stone in Bar´s temple dedicated to preservation of the rich traditions of World Music, invigorating them with his own unique interpretation and blending. This magnificent music has little competition anywhere else in the world and hopefully more people will discover it with the passing of time.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

NATURAL GATHERING ~ LOW CLOUDS HED ARZI 64642 (Barcode: 7293372464218) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion Recorded: 2006 Released: 2006 9th album by Israeli ensemble Natural GatheringFind albums by this artist formed and led by Shlomo BarFind albums by this artist. Bar presents here perhaps the boldest change in the musical direction of his music and his ensemble as well, emphasized by elaborate studio technology, which produces a more contemporary ambience. Although the underlying principle is still the same: a mixture of World Music and modern sounds, the use of electric instruments, the production and almost rocky feel of the album take the music into a new dimension. All the music on this album was composed by Bar, to texts by Israeli poets and those written by ensemble member Yael OffenbachFind albums by this artist. Bar who sings and plays percussion and flutes, is accompanied by five excellent musicians: Nitzan-Chen RazaelFind albums by this artist – violin, Menashe SassonFind albums by this artist – santoor, Ilan Ben-AmiFind albums by this artist - guitar, Ilan AvivFind albums by this artist – bass guitar and Yael Offenbach – tabla. Together they create an amazing musical texture, unparalleled by any other contemporary ensemble I know of. This is a magical ride gliding over NY, LA, London, Paris, Tel Aviv, Marrakesh, Baghdad, and Teheran and back, a ride once taken will be extremely difficult to forget. It is quite amazing to see (and hear) a musician so open and receptive to new ideas, after following a specific path for so many years, like Shlomo Bar. Overall this is still some of the best Fusion between East and West music anywhere on this planet and definitely one of the best albums recorded in Israel in the last decade. An absolute must to any music connoisseur, who can recognize great music regardless of where it comes from.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

NATURAL GATHERING ~ WANDERING HED ARZI 15495 (Barcode: 7293372549526) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion Recorded: 1988 - 1990 Released: 1990 6th album by Israeli ensemble Natural GatheringFind albums by this artist formed and led by Shlomo BarFind albums by this artist. Bar presents here another set of his original compositions (except for two songs), which accompany texts by Israeli poets or rabbinical texts, some originating in the Medieval times. Bar who sings and plays percussion and flutes, is accompanied by five excellent musicians: Samson KhamkarFind albums by this artist – violin, Ellen DanFind albums by this artist – oboe, Menashe SassonFind albums by this artist – santoor, Eli DigmeFind albums by this artist – guitar and oud and Emanuel MannFind albums by this artist – bass (his fretless bass is quite extraordinary) and a few guest musicians. Together they create a superb fabric of sounds which take the listener on a magic carpet ride between North Africa, India, Persia and the Middle East. The songs on this album are slightly shorter and more concise that the band´s earlier material, which allows for greater musical variety, making the album perhaps more accessible to wider audiences. However, Bar does not compromise any of his artistic integrity whatsoever. This is still some of the best Fusion between East and West music anywhere on this planet.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend