Description

1LP Vinyl – DD 35121

Several important jazz groups and projects emerged in the early 70s, among them were Platina, featuring Arale Kaminsky and Roman Kunsman, and Jazz Workshop. Jazz Workshop are best known for their landmark fusion of jazz, Hebrew and Arabic musical forms on the album 'Mizare Israel Yekabtzenu’, released in 1972. 

Another key group that emerged during this crucial febrile period was Oasis, fronted by jazz guitar maestro Avery Sharon. He was joined by bass player Yossie Menachem, drummer Ickie Levy & pianist Doodie Rosenthal (who also mixed the album). Their one album, cut live in the studio in June 1977, is a major development in the evolution of the Israeli jazz/fusion scene, encompassing original compositions as well as intriguing interpretations of Leon Russell alongside a Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke classic!  The Oasis recording contains lilting textures and colourful washes of sound, with the band really letting loose, interweaving and parrying like prize fighters. The musicianship is of  a very high standard and it’s a shame the group did not record more. Thankfully, we have this one artefact for fascinating period in Israeli music history that still sounds vital today. Incidentally, the Osasis album was one of only two released on the Krypton label, the other being the ‘Peace’ album by Zingale.