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 FRA
HAZA was born in 1957 and went on to become one of Israel's most famous
traditional folk-singers. She won the German equivalent of a Grammy Award
for her performance in the theatre group Hatvika, and was runner-up in
the 1983 Eurovision song contest. After a plethora of albums, her first
major international success came from her rendition of the traditional
Im Nin Alu in 1989. She continued her crossover career by teaming
up with the group Sisters of Mercy in 1992, for a remix of their song
Temple Of Love.
Frank Peterson
had a friend who had just started working at BMG Records and the first
project he had been given was Ofra Haza, who had recently been signed
to the label. German dance-group Snap! had already produced an album for
her, but Ofra was not happy with its direction. Frank was asked to meet
Ofra in Tel Aviv, but unfortunately did not have the time in his current
schedule as he had just completed Timeless.
However his friend insisted that the two meet and so, Ofra was flown to
Hamburg. She and Frank decided to make an album together, which would
allow Ofra to explore modern dance but without losing her roots.
In 1997 the first Frank Peterson-composed single for Ofra Haza was released.
Show Me combined a soaring and energetic Middle-Eastern string
theme with strong ethnic drumming and dance beats, interlaced with seductive
bass-lines and Ofra's expressive singing and chanting.
The
self-titled album, Ofra Haza
was released in late 1997, resulting in one of the best examples of Middle
Eastern textures combined with European dance music. Frank produced and
arranged the album, co-writing many songs with Ofra and her manager Bezalel
Aloni. Featuring nine original tracks, a cover version and Frank's
earth-shattering remix of Im Nin Alu.
Tragically this was to be Ofra Haza's final studio album, as she passed
away on the evening of 23 February 2000 leaving a world in mourning. She
will be dearly missed.
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