KTZAT ACHERET/NO NAMES

In retrospect, it turns out that this only album by Ktzat Acheret (slightly different), was a summit meeting between three gifted musicians: Shlomo Gronich on keyboards (mainly piano, occasionally Hammond and moog), Shem Tov Levy, on flute, (and also on some recorders here and there) and Shlomo Ydov, mostly on acoustic guitar, with some touches of electric guitars.

As you can realize from the description above, this album is mainly acoustic, with a bit of electricity, but in an unexpected way, it could really rock from time to time. They blend here acoustic/classic influences with rockier approach, and traditional music, in this case some Jewish elements, along with Israeli eastern motifs. There are sweet songs and avant moments, some jazzy improvisations, (well delimited in the short compositions), musical parodies along with sadness, and overall, a very distinctive atmosphere.

While there are some hints of Gentle Giant, as others suggest, I find it to be much more reminiscent of the Canterbury music scene; the jazzy feeling, the humorous yet melancholic atmosphere and the acoustic approach, have much in common with that style. But more than that, it is an Israeli creation, and a very innovative one. Indeed it has been a breakthrough, especially considering the time and the place it has been released.

The album starts with a relatively simple, straight forward song, 'Traveling', that deals with the band travels for shows, but soon continue with one of my favorites in this album: 'Guru' by Gronich, who sing about his cat, with lyrics that recalls for 'Lucifar Sam' by Barret. The music is different though: Based on two dissonance chords, with intricate, tricky melody, and a groovy rhythm. The song is preceded with a lovely, spacey intro.

Another fav of mine is 'The echo' by Shem Tov Levy, a more structured song than most of the other songs, with excellent arrangement for string quartet. The Lyrics have been written by the great Hebrew poet Lea Goldberg. ('Here comes the echo in the middle of the sky. don't let my song be a wasteland'... sorry for this horrible translation...). A strong and unique song. From Ydov we get 'Pink sky (Twilight)', a very moving song with a bit of sweetness and melancholy, featuring his wonderful acoustic guitar. And this list could not be complete without '204', a pure avant guard piece by Gronich, featuring an avant, syncopated melody which in mysterious way is very catchy (once you get it), great moog noises and improvisations, distorted flute, and great drumming from guest musician Pepo Levy.

This unique album is warmly recommended for those who could be tolerant for Hebrew singing (in about half of the album). It is considered as a milestone of Israeli music, which inspired many Israeli musicians until nowadays. All of the three members are stilll very active musicians in various styles.

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.

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.