KTZAT ACHERET/NO NAMES

This is a very complete and tight album dominated by a marvelous sense of humor, but you can also find some melancholy (mainly a product of the recent and traumatic 6 day war) and seriousness.

Musically it covers a wide range of styles from Beatlesque Rock and Roll to folk and jazz with lots of experimentation. The instruments used are more or less what you would expect for the above mentioned genres: acoustic and electric guitars, piano, hammond organ, synths (used to a smaller extent), bass, percussions and flute (an absolute highlight of the record).

The musicians are top notch and all of them are considered cornerstones of Israeli music in general, which includes: folk (Gronich), pop (Levi, Gronich), Jazz/Fusion (Levi), Rock (Levi, Gronich, Ydov) and Classical (Gronich). They are all classically trained and very skillful, things that show in the record that will launch their careers in the small israeli scene of the 70's.

Now the song by song review.... they are all short running but self contained and very well accomplished:

Travelling is a great opener and an upbeat rock and roller with an amazing acoustic guitar intro provided by Ydov. The lyrics talk about their travels while touring. 4/5

Guru is more of an experimental piece about Gronich's cat with some words in english every now and then with a very acoustic feeling (with the exception of the use of a little organ and electric guitar). The spotlight is over Gronich in piano, organ and vocals but the other musicians have their opportunity to shine giving sort of a preview of what will come. But at the end Gronich's signature is allover the composition (this will make you wonder about the man's mental sanity...) 4.5/5

The Little Prince is one of my all-time favorites and an israeli classic it is a Shem-Tov Levi song which, full of melancholia, tells the story of "the little prince" a young soldier sent to the war, inspired in the recent six day war. The highlights are Levi's voice, piano and flute while the rest of the band give an outstanding support to the music. 5/5

Shemi's Piece is another experimental track based on some middle-eastern sounds and it revolves around the piano, guitar and flute which are just beautifully performed with the addition of some violin here and there. This track is more of a group collaboration compared to the previous two songs. 5/5

Pink Skies is Ydov's moment to shine with his amazing acoustic guitar, accompanied by Gronich singing and someone on piano (probably Gronich or Levi). Ydov has been often compared to Andy Latimer (Camel) but this is a totally different style.+ I have to mention the short but breathtaking flute moments since I am in love with Levi's flute style. 5/5

Spring is a very humorous track that could fit perfectly in a Canterbury Scene album. This one represents another team effort with Gronich (who acknowledged being influenced by the Canterbury scene) in vocals, Ydov playing the acoustic guitar, Levi's flute and Levi or Gronich on piano. 4/5

Two Chinese is another humorous ala Canterbury song based on a Hebrew children's song (about two chinese persons with a big violin) played on different styles including a - capella, middle eastern, beatlesque rock & roll and Yemenite jewish. Quite nice and fits on the album, but dispensable. 3/5

Quinta: another great team collaboration with predominant flute, piano, acoustic guitar and Gronich's vocalizations + the addition of some synth, violin and electric guitar. 5/5

The Echo: another Shem-Tov Levi song which features him singing (+some Gronich vocalizations), Ydov's electric guitar, good percussions and a spectacular string quartet. 4.5/5

204 this is a typical Schlomo Gronich avant song full of craziness and as a huge Gronich fan I love it! Gronich's madness added to Levi's flute is just israeli prog paradise! the rhythm section is also outstanding (Ydov on bass and Levi or Gronich on percussions) 5/5

Sweet Song delivers more Canterury-styled humor with lyrics in english (very well pronounced). Its a nice and sweet song (as the title announces) with great piano, flute and acoustic guitar work + the string quartet returns to give a beautiful ending to the song... I think it is Gronich singing but it is difficult to tell since I am used to listen to them in hebrew....4.5/5

Bissalad continues with the sweet string quartet and flute and then after some mad laughs the madness starts and it becomes more upbeat and crazy followed by some english vocalizations and some rock & roll to end with magnificence and (I have to say it again) madness!!!. 4.75/5

Total: 4.52

I don't know if I should give to this album the masterpiece status... but considering the current rating of the album (3.41), Shem-Tov Levi's flute, Gronich's madness, Ydov's beautiful guitar, the great sense of humor, the absolutely fantastic lyrics (specially in the sad and breath taking The Little Prince) and historic significance of the album (one of prog's pioneers in Israel + timeless classics such as The Little Prince)... I'll give to it the 5 star rating .

P.S.: This is an eclectic album but could fit under Canterbury... so if you are a canterbury, israeli rock, madness or general prog fan this is a MUST.

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