Here's whats the big deal with Offer Nissim
Back in the 80's extended mixes and 12" singles started to become popular. Remixes were somewhat similar to the original versions. But there where some remixers that had a unique production sound and became big names which many of us music lovers followed: Jellybean famous for his Bruce Springsteen mixes, Shep Pettibone probably the best remixer of the 80s, Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero who did mixes for Tears for Fears and Steve Winwood. Then you had those PWL remixes with their unique sounds at the end of the 80s.
The 90's was the Hayday of remixers. David Morales was the biggest name. I followed every remix by Steve Silk Hurley. Todd Terry and Frankie Knuckles. Then you had musically limited remixers that had a very unique sound that would butcher records into something powerful, hypnotic and surreal, for example, Florida's Murk. I also loved the jazz tinggled remixes of Masters at Work. In 1998 Filter house became popular.
By 1999 I stopped following new music altogether. Turned off the radio, stopped going to clubs, stopped following mix shows, stopped reading magazines, etc, etc, etc..My brain just could not absorb any more musical material. So I just had to shut the door to learning about any new artists.
In the decade that has gone by since then, I have bumped into the name Offer Nissim several times. The name is so interesting, as it is not one of those typically anglo names. I've seen the name on posters of club events and on sites like Perfect Beat. Still I refused to listen as I listen less and less to music these days. Gives me a headache.
But today I bumped into this video. It was mesmerizing. I guess the big deal is not just the music itself, its his movements and the expression of his face. It makes you feel excited about the music he is playing. BTW I didnt realize it was a man until I read the biography. Truely exciting. A must see:
Here's Offer Nissim, playing his remix of Billie Jean in a live set:
