Record Reviews

DOUBLE SPACE ~ WINDINGS NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 8824655671086) ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2005 Released: 2006 Excellent debut album by Israeli Prog group Double SpaceFind albums by this artist, which is probably the most significant piece of music recorded in this country in the last decade. Coming back to the sources if Israeli Prog (of the 1970’s) the group decided to create a musical project based on texts by prominent Israeli poets like Leah GoldbergFind albums by this artist, Natan AltermanFind albums by this artist, Hanoch LevinFind albums by this artist and others (unfortunately lost to non-Hebrew speaking audiences). The musical approach is remarkably similar to the early (and revolutionary) work of Shlomo GronichFind albums by this artist, with brilliant compositions including weird time signatures and unexpected twists and turns. The music is mostly acoustic, with occasional use of electric guitar. Extensive use of flute and saxophone adds touches of jazzy arrangements. The vocals (in Hebrew of course) are expressive and very sensitive to the complex lyrics. The maturity and the intellectual stamina of this project are truly astounding, especially in view of the young age of its participants. Considering the recent “wave” of excellent Israeli Prog releases, this is another most welcome addition to the local scene.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

NATURAL GATHERING ~ IN A SECRET OF SOLITARY PRAYER HED ARZI 64971 (Barcode: 7293372497193) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion Recorded: 2008 - 2009 Released: 2010 Moroccan-born singer / songwriter / percussionist Shlomo BarFind albums by this artist, the founder and leader of Natural GatheringFind albums by this artist, is an iconic figure on the multi-faced Israeli music scene. Since the late 1970s Bar and his ensemble consistently propagate an ambitious version of Middle-Eastern, folklore based but modernistic musical universe, completely unique and wonderfully rich both in traditional and contemporary musical ideas of amalgamation and transcendence of physical, psychological and cultural border lines. Initially scored, ridiculed and rejected by the Israeli Ashkenazi music establishment, which was completely Western-oriented and hold little (if any) esteem towards the treasures of Sephardic tradition, Bar persisted and refused to compromise his artistic vision. Three decades later, Natural Gathering and its music stands out as one of Israel´s most significant contributions to World culture, but remain somewhat estranged on the local scene. Each new album by this ensemble is a true feast to the ears and this one is no different. Recorded over a period of two years in Bar´s home studio, the album is deeply moving and presents a spectacular vista of sounds and colors. The lyrics include a wide variety of sources, from modern Israeli poetry (Lea GoldbergFind albums by this artist, Natan AltermanFind albums by this artist) to rabbinical texts. This time Bar uses also several songs, which were not written by him but are now part of the Pantheon of Israeli songwriting, in addition to his own compositions. The current version of the group features all-acoustic instrumentation (except for bass guitar), including guitar, woodwinds, violin and Middle-Eastern / Indian instruments like santoor and percussion instruments like tabla. Bar´s vocals lost some of its dramatic effect of anger and frustration, but are beautifully refined and expressive. This is a great album, any way one may wish to look at it (read: listen to it) and I can only recommend it wholeheartedly, hoping that more people will discover this treasure!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

YONI RECHTER ~ ROMANCE IS WHAT COUNTS HED ARZI 15492 (Barcode: 7293372154928) ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1990 Released: 1991 The annual Israel Festival is the most prestigious cultural affair produced in Israel. Among the many events of the festival, each year one Israeli musician is invited to present an evening of his songs, which is considered a great honor for the artist and a gesture of gratitude for his achievements. Of course in the case of Yoni RechterFind albums by this artist the gratitude is highly deserved and the cycle of songs he presents is truly exquisite. This album (recorded live) captures the event in its entire splendor. Being a hopeless romantic at heart, Rechter chose the theme of love and romance as the connecting thread between all his songs. His life-long friend and partner, the poet Eli Mohar, supplied the lyrics to his music, except a few songs where Rechter uses poems written by the most important Israeli poets like Natan ZachFind albums by this artist and Natan AltermanFind albums by this artist. To perform the songs Rechter invited his old friends, with whom he recorded previously, like Yehudith RavitzFind albums by this artist and Gidi GovFind albums by this artist. The players are all top Israeli musicians, mostly from the jazz circle. The entire affair is truly magical and all the songs are of such high quality that in time they achieved a permanent status in the pantheon of the Israeli songbook. Essential for lovers of Israeli music and poetry and romantics, wherever they might be.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend