Record Reviews
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  | MATTI CASPI ~ SOUL MATE
PHONOKOL 4272 (Barcode: 7296134427223) ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2010 Released: 2010
At the end of his fourth decade as a prominent figure on the Israeli music scene, singer / songwriter Matti CaspiFind albums by this artist is still a formidable performer and his superb songwriting is second to none. In fact it appears as if Caspi is completely resistant to the tides of time and almost never changes his musical approach, which in his case is a good thing, considering he was excellent from day one. This set of new songs is almost identical in character and atmosphere to his early albums recorded in the 1970s. Beautifully melodic, lyrical and wonderfully crafted, they are all masterly performed by Caspi with a help of his colleagues. He also gets a few guest vocalists, among them the wonderful Yehudith RavitzFind albums by this artist, who sings a duet with him on one song. Most of the songs´ lyrics were written by one of Israel´s greatest lyricist, the late Ehud ManorFind albums by this artist, who often cooperated with Caspi. This album is a tribute to Manor´s sublime sensibility and talent and reveals many songs written some years ago but never heard previously. Definitely a great album, which should be warmly received by Caspi´s many fans and all lovers of good Israeli music.
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  | DANNY LITANI ~ VERY TOGETHER (30TH ANNIVERSARY EXPANDED EDITION)
NMC (ISRAEL) 81099 (Barcode: 7290011507596) ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1970 - 1978 Released: 2007
Danny LitaniFind albums by this artist is one of the most talented Israeli musicians and songwriters, and yet he never reached the stardom status, he so well deserves. Deeply rooted in American music, especially Dylan’s legacy of folk and protest songs and the blues, Danny was always quite different and somewhat disconnected from the Israeli mainstream. His beautiful bluesy baritone fits ideally his soulful self-written material as well as his interpretations (translated into Hebrew) of American classics. Always accompanied by the best Israeli rock and blues players, his albums and concerts were a source of musical joy and heartfelt experiences. This album includes some of his best songwriting to date (he composed all the songs) and is definitely his strongest and most consistent release. Two of the songs are great duets with Yehudith RavitzFind albums by this artist. This beautiful new edition includes a plethora of bonus material, never previously available on record, including live tracks, radio singles, etc. Making all of it available to the general public is a true delight. For people not familiar with Danny’s output, this is a most warmly recommended opportunity to get exposed to his charm. (See also his superb album with the group ShamayimFind albums by this artist)
| | | CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | YONI RECHTER ~ MUSIC IS WHAT COUNTS
TAV 8 (Barcode: 7290105161734) ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2010 Released: 2012
This is a wonderful live recording by Israel´s most important composer / pianist / vocalist Yoni RechterFind albums by this artist. In the last 40 years Rechter enriched the Israeli Culture by a vast amount of absolutely superb songs, which are all instant classics. His monumental talents, completely unique approach to melody and profound lyricism are unparalleled and have always been a beacon of light in the dreary musical landscape, which usually surrounds us. Rechter´s songs have been an important catalyst, which launched the careers of many top Israeli artists, such as Gidi GovFind albums by this artist, Yehudith RavitzFind albums by this artist and many others. This recording captures a performance at the annual "Piano Festival", which gave Rechter an opportunity to produce a marvelous retrospective of his work, featuring his old and new songs and performing them with many guests, who came to pay a well deserved tribute to his genius. Rechter plays piano and keyboards and is accompanied by a small ensemble with consists of guitarist Aharoni BenariFind albums by this artist, bassist Yorai OronFind albums by this artist and drummer Tal CohenFind albums by this artist. Several other musicians also take part, including the excellent saxophonist Eli DegibriFind albums by this artist, percussionist Joca PerpignanFind albums by this artist and a string quartet. Several guest vocalists take part in the recording, including Yehudith Ravitz, NatanelaFind albums by this artist, Rona KeinanFind albums by this artist and Shlomi ShabanFind albums by this artist. There is so much wonderful music included here, that it seems almost ridiculous to recommend it to others, but honestly anybody, who loves Israeli music, or just quality music, regardless of where it comes from, will enjoy this immensely. A masterpiece!
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  | 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.
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  | 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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  | YONI RECHTER / YEHUDITH RAVITZ ~ ONCE AND FOREVER (30TH ANNIVERSARY EXPANDED EDITION)
NMC (ISRAEL) 83485 (Barcode: 7290011998769) ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1979 Released: 2009
Israeli pianist / composer Yoni RechterFind albums by this artist and singer Yehudith RavitzFind albums by this artist first met as team members of the children´s show Sixteenth LambFind albums by this artist, which produced one extraordinary album soon to become an absolute Israeli classic, considered to this very day as the best albums of its kind (and definitely not only for kids). Following the Sixteenth Lamb, Rechter and Ravitz teamed up for the "Once And ForeverFind albums with this title" show, later recording the songs from the show for an album of the same title, which also became an instant classic. Both Rechter and Ravitz were already seasoned musicians by the time they recorded this album; Rechter spent several years with the top Israeli Rock band KaveretFind albums by this artist, which recorded three albums, Ravitz fronted the wonderful SheshetFind albums by this artist band, which also produced two superb albums. Nevertheless this recording was in fact the first opportunity for both of them to flourish, Rechter mainly as a composer of wonderful and unforgettable melodies and Ravitz as a superb singer of highest sensitivity, second to none, a position she still holds to this very day. The album includes some of Rechter´s most beautiful compositions, exquisitely performed by Ravitz and a team of great supporting musicians, an extraordinary document of the first period of Israel´s musical scene coming to fruition. This new expanded edition includes not only the original album but also a live performance of the show filmed by Israeli TV as well as a couple of other TV appearances, all released for the first time on DVD. This is an absolute must for any fan of Israeli music!
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  | SHESHET ~ SHESHET (30TH ANNIVERSARY EXPANDED EDITION)
NMC (ISRAEL) 82366 (Barcode: 7290011507602) ~ ISRAEL ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1977 Released: 2007
Eponymous album by Israeli group SheshetFind albums by this artist led by Shem Tov LevyFind albums by this artist, who also wrote almost all the music, and including the best local musicians at the time. This Prog / Jazz-Rock outfit created a great blend of western, Latin and middle-eastern music, which sounds as fresh today as it did at the time of the recording. Lead vocals are by Yehudith RavitzFind albums by this artist, who later became a major Israeli star. The compositions are heavily influenced by Prog (Gentle GiantFind albums by this artist in particular) and the album ranks among Israel’s all time best albums. The beautiful new edition includes as a bonus the extra-rare (just a few copies of the original LP are known to be in existence) second album by Sheshet, never previously released on CD, which the group recorded as soundtrack of the Israeli film “The Stretcher March” (see Side note). The only vocal track on the second album is sung by no other than Gidi GovFind albums by this artist, who also played a leading role in the film. The reissue of this album is a major feast for the Israeli Prog discography.
Side Note: Following the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the Israeli society entered a period of major upheaval and a radical re-examination of its values and social / political perspectives. The pioneering and bold film “The Stretcher March” was the first of its kind to openly examine the moral and psychological difficulties faced by soldiers in the IDF, a subject that was a complete taboo beforehand. This film and later other similar films and books written / published in the late 1970’s were all a result of this fascinating period in Israel’s society formative years.
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