Zohar
The fusion of ancient & contemporary worlds uncovering hidden meanings behind the world of appearances.
The Zohar ("illumination") was a work containing the record of revelations concerning divine mysteries, as they were traditionally received from the second-century Rabbi Simeon ben Yohai and his mystic circle. This was the culminating, classical work of Kabbalah (meaning "heritage", a mystical form, or "secret science", of Judaism that developed in the late Middle Ages). Kabbalah was an esoteric method of interpreting the Hebrew Scriptures by way of the numerical coding of Hebrew letters. Such a code system was meant to bring out the hidden meaning of each biblical word.
Edited from the Meta Library
Album: Elokainu
[MANCD007]
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Released 1996 on Mandala. All tracks written and produced by Erran Baron Cohen. This album offers an unusual and yet fascinating blend of Middle Eastern influences with electronica, the best of which is found at the end of the album with the more upbeat remixes. The Drum and Bass Remix of 'Elokainu' has been a firm favourite of mine over the years and stills gets plenty of airplay during my chillout sets. Track 11 (Fields of Soria - God Squad Remix) features the spoken Spanish vocals of Errans brother (Sacha aka Ali G).
12": Zohar - Surrender
[SL001]
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Released 199? on Still Live Recordings. All tracks written and produced by Zohar. This rare vinyl from around about 1997 offers two quality cuts of middle-eastern tinged drum & bass, following in a similar style to the Drum and Bass Remix of 'Elokainu'.
Album: One.Three.Seven - A Middle Eastern Voyage Into Sound
[ZOHAR137]
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Released 1999 on Zohar Records. All tracks written and produced by Erran Baron Cohen & A. Kramer, except track 6 by Erran Baron Cohen. 'Midnight at the Bazaar' also features on the Whirl-Y-Waves Vol.2 'Global Grooves' compilation. This is the original version of the album One.Three.Seven, as released on Zohar's own label.
Album: One Three Seven
[ARKCD1005]
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Released 10/01 on Arc 21. All tracks written and produced by Erran Baron Cohen & A. Kramer, except track 6 by Erran Baron Cohen. 'Midnight at the Bazaar' also features on the Whirl-Y-Waves Vol.2 'Global Grooves' compilation. This is essentially a re-release, with the original album first out on Zohar's own label back in 1999. However, select tracks from their first album (Elokainu) now also feature on this album which is an added bonus given that Elokainu is very hard to come by these days.
12": Ehad
[ARK 12205]
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Released 10/01 on Arc21 / Mondo Rhythmica Records. Written and produced by Erran Baron Cohen & Andrew Kramer. Additional remix and production on track 2 by Rob Da Bank and Elliot J; on track 3 by Attaboy. Taken from the album OneThreeSeven. The original version of Ehad is a wonderful, gentle percussion pased groove with the familiar (and unusual) vocals of Zohar. The Attaboy Remix sets a solid 4/4 beat behind the groove of the original, keeping all the elements of the original in place, although decreasing the use of the vocal. Rob Da Bank and co from Sunday Best deliver a delicious down-tempo version; gentle strings and soothing tinklings on the ivories blended with the haunting vocals and electronica - sublime. And essential purchase.
Promo CD: Ehad
[pARKCDS205]
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Released 10/01 on Arc21 Records. Written and produced by Erran Baron Cohen & Andrew Kramer. Additional remix and production on track 2 by Rob Da Bank and Elliot J; on track 3 by Attaboy. Taken from the album OneThreeSeven. See above for review. Thanks to Brian Harris for this information.
Other Info:
For further information on Zohar see their official web site.
