KTZAT ACHERET/NO NAMES

This was a short-lived Israeli Prog Folk trio, formed by multi-instrumentalists Shlomo Gronich, Shlomo Ydov and Shem-Tov Levy.Gronich had already given a taste of his anxious spirit with the 1971 Experimental/Folk/Prog effort ''Why didn't you tell me?''.In 1974 he teamed up with Levy and Ydov to form a project, inspired by the Yom Kippur War, which took place in October 73' between the Israelis and the Arabs.They released the album ''Ktzat Acheret'' (also known as ''Nonames'') in 1974 on the local label Isradisc.Gronich plays all kind of keyboards, Ydov plays electric and acoustic guitars plus the bass, Levy plays the flute, piano and percussions, while all three members contributed in the vocal parts.

Despite mainly sung in Hebrew and having a largely acoustic sound, ''Ktzat Acheret'' was an unusual album for the standards of Israeli Music, obviously inpired by the sounds of Western/European Prog Rock acts.Basically you should consider this a Prog Folk album with dominant performances on acoustic guitars, piano, keyboards and flute, but there are also evident inspirations from Classical Music and Pop throughout.Imagine a poppier and more rural appearance of GENTLE GIANT, the music can be very quirky, orchestral but also accesible at the same time.Instead of composing long and complex suites, the trio decided to move to the production of short pieces with sufficient instrumental themes and well-worked vocal harmonies, starting from typical Psych/Folk passages and ending up to enganging instrumental ideas with full-blown keyboard and guitar interplays.The atmosphere is pretty soft, but the music is always dense and emphatic with excellent work on strings, flute and piano, which surface as great supportive values in the strong acoustic components of the material.There are also some sporadic electric guitars to be found, but the overall sound is closer to, let's say, MANEIGE, incorporating rural soundscapes in progressive arrangements, filled with light orchestrations, some nice interplays and plenty of vocal exercises.Very poetic and often emotional stuff, which usually is covered by intense instrumental creations.

After Ktzat Acheret Levy and Ydov would later team up again in Tuned Tone, while Levy would play again in 1983 with Gronich in a personal, duo project.He was also a member of the overlooked Israel Prog Rock act Sheshet, while all three musicians would also record solo albums with strong progressive elements.

Sweet Prog Folk in the vein of GENTLE GIANT with symphonic interplays and some Pop sensibilities.Warm and delicate atmospheres throughout, executed in an acoustic enviroment.Recommended, rare CD reissues exist, the original vinyl is also pretty rare and expensive.