History
After being rejected by a number of record labels, the band was finally signed by Nana Records. Their debut album, Nikmat HaTraktor, was released in 1990. It was produced by Bari Sacharof (of the aforementioned band FortiSakharof), and contained a number of their hits, the prominent ones including: Mischak Shel Dma'ot (משחק של דמעות, lit. A Game of Tears), Adon HaSelichot (אדון הסליחות, lit. Master of Forgiveness) based on the Sephardic Jewish incantation bearing the same name, and Afifonim (עפיפונים, lit. Kites) - the Hebrew translation of Simon Dupree and the Big Sound's song.
Simon Dupree and the Big Sound were a British psychedelic band formed in 1966 by brothers Derek Shulman (vocals), Phil Shulman, and Ray Shulman ; also known for their later prog rock band, Gentle Giant.
"Kites" is a ballad written by Hal Hackady and Lee Pockriss. It was first recorded by the Rooftop Singers as their last single in 1967.
Genre
Nikmat HaTraktor is a revolutionary band that fused modern Israeli sound with age-old Middle Eastern themes. This new form of music paved the way for other prominent Israeli bands to do the same, such as Knesiyat Hasekhel and others.
Knesiyat Hasekhel is an Israeli rock band from Sderot.
As a result of their multi-disciplinary musical talents Nikmat HaTraktor expanded to other musical areas contributing significantly to Israeli theatre, dance, and other stage productions.
They had much success in Israel and abroad appearing with the Batsheva Dance Company in their "Kyr" production, which Nikmat HaTraktor wrote the music for, as well as Yossi Pollack's Othello (an Israstage production).
The Batsheva Dance Company is a renowned dance company based in Tel Aviv, Israel. It was founded by Martha Graham and Baroness Batsheva de Rothschild in 1964.
The music of Israel is a combination of Jewish and non-Jewish music traditions that have come together over the course of a century to create a distinctive musical culture. For almost 150 years, musicians have sought original stylistic elements that would define the emerging national spirit. In addition to creating an Israeli style and sound, Israel's musicians have made significant contributions to classical, jazz, pop rock and other international music genres. Since the 1970s, there has been a flowering of musical diversity, with Israeli rock, folk and jazz musicians creating and performing extensively, both locally and abroad. Many of the world's top classical musicians are Israelis or Israeli expatriates. The works of Israeli classical composers have been performed by leading orchestras worldwide.
Israeli rock is rock music created by Israeli bands and singers.
Minimal Compact was an Israeli rock band associated with the post-punk and indie rock movement of the 1980s.
Kaveret, also known as Poogy, was an Israeli rock band, which operated originally from 1973 to 1976. The band is notable for representing Israel in the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest and for its often humorous songs and unique style of music. In Israel, Kaveret is widely considered a breakthrough band in Israeli rock and pop history.
Kerem HaTeimanim is a neighborhood in the center of Tel Aviv, Israel. The neighborhood is adjacent to the Carmel Market. The name means Vineyard of the Yemenites, and the area is also known as the Yemenites Quarter.
Mofa Ha'arnavot Shel Dr. Kasper is an Israeli rock band active since 1991. It was part of a group of Israeli rock bands that began performing in the early 1990s and included Knesiyat Hasekhel and Ziknei Tzfat. Their musical style was upbeat grunge funky rock, influenced by bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Rolling Stones, and they describe themselves as the first generation of musicians influenced by MTV — in terms of both music and performance.
Ram Ephraim "Rami" Fortis, or simply Fortis, is an Israeli rock singer. Born in Tel Aviv, Fortis became known as a pioneer of Israeli punk rock. His debut album Plonter, released in 1978, was not a commercial success at the time, though today it is considered an influential cult album. His fame in Israel came with the release of a Hebrew language album, Sipurim Me'hakufsa , in 1988. Due to his behaviour on stage he was nicknamed The Madman (HaMeshuga).
Rockfour is a psychedelic rock band, formed in 1988 in Holon, Israel. Most of their catalog is in English, and they regularly tour the United States.
Shalom Hanoch is an Israeli rock singer, lyricist and composer.
T-Slam was an influential Israeli rock band, founded in 1980 by Dani Bassan, Izhar Ashdot and Yair Nitzani. The band dissolved on October 23, 1983, but has reunited at least three times since then.
Malka Spigel is a London-based Israeli musician and artist. She was founding member of the Israeli-Belgian rock band Minimal Compact. She has also worked as a solo musician and as a visual artist, exhibiting in prominent venues such as The Irish Museum of Modern Art and the Royal Festival Hall. She is a member of Githead along with husband Colin Newman, Robin Rimbaud and fellow Minimal Compact refugee Max Franken.
Berry Sakharof is an Israeli rock guitarist, songwriter and singer. Sakharof is one of Israel's most popular and critically acclaimed rock musicians, and is often referred to as "the prince of Israeli rock".
Avi Belleli is an Israeli singer and musician.
Zikney Tzfat is a grunge / punk band formed in Tel Aviv, Israel around 1990 by Maor Cohen, Yoni Bentovim, Oren Lutenberg and Adiel Portugaly who was later replaced by Rea Mochiach. They were known for their wild and chaotic concerts and their extreme lyrics which were full with absurdist and childish humour.
Shlomi Bracha is an Israeli Rock musician and record producer, best known for being the guitarist and one of the songwriters in the Israeli rock band Mashina.
Shaily Lipa is an Israeli cookbook author, culinary editor, recipe developer, content creator and TV cookery show host.
Uri Katzenstein was an Israeli sculptor, visual artist, musician, builder of musical instruments and sound machines, and film maker.
Dudu Tassa is one of Israel's most prominent rock musicians, singer, songwriter, composer, and record producer. Besides having had a successful solo career in Israel, Tassa has been the leader of the internationally acclaimed band Dudu Tassa and the Kuwaitis which plays new renditions of old Iraqi songs written and composed by Tassa's late grandfather and great-uncle, Daoud and Salih Al-Kuwaity.
