Introduction: Dusting Off a Groundbreaking Hebrew Record
In the latest episode of the podcast “Back Shelf,” host Dudi Patimer dusts off a record that time almost forgot. The focus is the debut, self-titled album by the Israeli band Sheshet, released in November 1977. Though the band lingered on the fringes of popular attention, the album’s adventurous approach to form, language, and fusion helped lay the groundwork for artistic freedom in Hebrew music.
Sheshet: A Band Ahead of Its Time
Sheshet brought together a rare mix of influences—folk, jazz, rock, and authentic Israeli musical sensibilities—into a concept that felt both modern and integral to a Jewish musical identity. The lineup featured Yehudit Ravitz, founder Shabtai Levi, Shmulik Bodgub, Adi Renert, Shmuel Aroch, and Ike Levi. Each member contributed to a sound that could be intimate and lyrical one moment, expansive and experimental the next. The album doesn’t merely collect songs; it presents nine interconnected worlds where Hebrew lyrics meet intricate arrangements and global textures.
The Album: Nine Worlds in One Recording
Recording Context and Sound
conceived and captured in Tel Aviv’s Triton Studios on a modest budget, the project nevertheless boasted sophisticated arrangements. The result is a nine-track journey that uses a wide palette of instruments—piano, guitar, vibraphone, flute, bass, and tasteful percussion—woven together through inventive structures. The emphasis isn’t on instant catchiness but on sculpted moods, rhythmic savvy, and a willingness to push songs into longer, more exploratory forms. This was music that rewarded attentive listening and repeated plays.
Notable Tracks and Their Worlds
Among the album’s standout moments are the track often cited for its rhythmic courage, a samba-inflected piece with the Hebrew title that translates to “Samba on the Left Leg.” Its propulsion and clever meter shifts reveal the band’s interest in rhythm as a narrative device. The set also includes a track titled “ענבלים,” a Hebrew title whose exact meaning hints at cultural and linguistic play, and the more reflective “בלילות הסתיו” (On Autumn Nights), which showcases contemplative melody and lyrical depth. Taken together, these songs demonstrate a willingness to blend traditional Israeli melodic lines with jazz harmony and contemporary rock textures—an approach that was rare in late-70s Hebrew music.
Why It Still Resonates
Sheshet did not become a mainstream stadium act; rather, the album gained resonance as a lost classic that seeded an entire generation of Israeli musicians who later embraced complex song forms and cross-cultural influences. The album’s brave break from straightforward pop conventions helped embolden artists to experiment with longer compositions, instrumental exploration, and Hebrew lyricism that could stand on par with international experimental music of the era.
Legacy and Continuity
Today, Sheshet’s debut is often cited by descendants of the 1980s and 1990s Israeli music scenes as a touchstone for artistic risk-taking. The cross-pollination of folk, jazz, and rock, combined with Hebrew linguistic fluency and ambitious arrangements, offered a blueprint for future bands seeking artistic integrity over commercial formula. The episode of Back Shelf not only revisits a record’s past but also illuminates how its ideas continue to echo in contemporary Israeli music that prizes experimentation and intellectual engagement.
Conclusion: A Listen Worth Your Time
As we replay the nine tracks that defined Sheshet’s one-off album, we hear a snapshot of a moment when ownership over Hebrew art was expanding. The album remains a landmark for its audacious creativity, its embrace of multiple cultural streams, and its enduring influence on artists who followed. This episode invites curious listeners to explore not just the sounds but the ideas that helped reframe what Hebrew music could be.
