Cymbals / Zemer Nuge

This 7" record you're about to hear, is a true Israeli psych-funk holy grail, pressed in low quantity in real time, sold in hundreds of dollars nowadays, for an original copy.

A side, "Cymbals", is like the feeling of dancing like nuts, while driving a convertible on a highway near the ocean. Crazy drums & percussion, intense guitar groove riffs and though in Hebrew, punchy vocals. Lyrics talks about a couple, both musicians, having a son they name Cymbals.

B side, "Zemer Nuge" could easily be a lost chase track by Lalo Schifrin, massively orchestrated, seating on a steady funk riff platform. Lyrics talk about a young woman longing for her lover, she met only once.

In 1968, already a popular drummer, Zoher Levie was introduced to dramatist Hanoch Levin, who gave him song lyrics to compose for and he even thought up the band's name: "Zohar The 7th". In 1969 the band recorded two songs, which Zohar composed: "Cymbals" by Levin and "Zemer Nuge" by Rachel the poet. These songs were issued on a 7-inch record; however they failed to pick up attention on the radio. Zohar's innovative to compose music for "Zemer Nuge" provoked objection - it sounded strange, as music for the song had already previously been composed by Shmulik Kraus as well as by Yosef Mustaki. The failure of the record didn't break Zohar's spirit, rather it encouraged him to intensify his work.

Zohar was a true rebel, constantly seeking a creative and unconventional approach, disharmonic and unusual, yet variable and evolving in accordance to text. His contribution to original Israeli creation goes far beyond the extent of his exposure today.