Exposé Online banner

Avi Bellili — The Power of Balance
(LA 4 Records LA-10527, 2002, CD)

by Jeff Melton, Published 2005-09-01

The Power of Balance Cover artComposer Avi Belleli is perhaps best known as the mastermind behind Israeli band Tractor's Revenge and also for his collaborations with drummer Dave Kerman (Present, 5uu’s etc.). Co-produced and engineered by Udi Koomran, this grouping of ten short and distinct pieces presents experiments in rhythmic and audio soundscapes. The album opens within a quiet acoustic guitar atmosphere, but the best example of this experimental approach is on the second track. “Fairys” is grounded by pulsing drum machines that instill a metallic vibe with backwards loops and watery guitar phrasing. “Steam” is also an impressive piece that relies on jumbled rhythmic qualities to create an earthy sound collage. The sixth Hebrew named track is the most traditional song, relying on guitar harmonics to propel a folk song melody line sounding a bit like synthesized melodica. “Kuru” is the creepiest piece on the recording opening in what sounds like a dark tomb, then a sound window opens to reveal a cacophonous band playing loudly at exaggerated speed. The last two pieces close out the disc on a more somber note. “Zabieba” features a two guitar pastoral arpeggio that underlies a ghostly lead part that is one of the high points of the recording. The final piece “Loot” is an acoustic percussion driven song that adds shakers and a spiraling but tribal vocal tracking. In closing, Belleli and Koomran set a comfortable tone of individual audio research with this recording that was the signpost of greater endeavors to come for each of them.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 32, 2002 releases

Related artist(s): Avi Belleli

Latest news

2017-05-19
First ProgStock Festival Set for October – October 2017 will see the inaugural edition of a festival called ProgStock in Rahway, New Jersey at the Union County Performing Arts Center. With a definite slant towards neo-progressive music, the event is sure to please many fans with the inclusion of such artists as Echolyn, Glass Hammer, and Aisles. The festival will take place October 13-15. » Read more

2017-05-05
Clive Brooks RIP – Word reaches us today of another sad passing in the music world. Drummer Clive Brooks, best known as a member of such Canterbury bands as Egg, Uriel / Arzachel, and Groundhogs, has died at the age of 67. Details are sketchy at this point. The news was reported on Nick Mason's Facebook page — Brooks was Mason's drum tech. » Read more

2017-05-02
Col. Bruce Hampton RIP – The phrase "He died doing what he loved" is almost a cliche, but in the case of Col. Bruce Hampton, it couldn't be more true. Hampton, who was born Gustav Berglund III, collapsed on stage at his own 70th birthday celebration and later passed away. The event took place at the Fox Theater in Atlanta. » Read more

2017-04-16
ProgDay 2017 Announces First Bands – Flor de Loto, Sonar, and Infinien are the first three performers to be announced for the 2017 edition of the long-running ProgDay Festival. The 23rd ProgDay takes place Saturday and Sunday, September 2nd and 3rd, at Storybook Farm in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. » Read more

2017-04-16
Allan Holdsworth RIP – Surely in the list of artists who have contributed to the sound of modern music, there is a special spot for guitarist Allan Holdsworth. His name is known to virtually every student of the instrument in jazz and rock, and his style has been so widely emulated that it's hardly worth mentioning anymore — we can just assume that every guitarist has Holdsworth as an influence. » Read more

More news

Previously in Exposé...

Moby Trip - NKU – Moby Trip is a trio from New Zealand operating in the retro-psych realm. The band features guitars, bass, and drums, with the guitarist doubling on keyboard programming, and vocal duties shared by...  (1999) » Read more

Random review

Listen & discover

Schwalm's "Be-knall" and "Endknall"

More recommendations
Black Widow Presents Progfest 2017

Print issues