Aril Brikha attacks Shlomi Aber for ‘rip-off’

Aril Brikha attacks Shlomi Aber for ‘rip-off’

17 July, 2008 | 1.40PM

• Written by: svnvt
• Filed under: Music News: aril brikha, shlomi aber

Swedish techno producer Aril Brikha has spoken out against Israel’s Shlomi Aber, claiming Aber’s recent track ‘Efrat’ takes liberties in sampling Brikha’s 1997 hit ‘Groove La Chord’.

While the tracks do have their similarities, the general question where ”inspiration“ ends, and ”rip-off“ starts still remains as a certain degree of recycling is to be expected in the electronic music industry. 

Read both their cases and listen for yourself after the break.

Aril Brikha wrote a blog post on his MySpace account, claiming that Shlomi Aber ripped of his classic track ’Groove La Chord’ from 1997.

Here is an edit of Aril Brikha’s post:

“It has come to my attention that ‘Groove la Chord’ from ‘The Art of Vengeance EP’, my first big, and maybe the most important release in my career, has been copied by Israeli artist Shlomi Aber.

“After receiving an email from a listener who had noticed a certain similarity to my track and Aber’s track ‘Efrat’, I went to check this guy out on Beatport and was surprised at the similarity, although the quality on Beatport leaves a lot to wish for.

“After checking his MySpace page out, and finding out he is a ‘friend’ of mine, and then listening to the track, I can’t come to any other conclusion that my original track, not only was being an inspiration to his track ‘Efrat’, but also was most likely sampled.

“On the b-side of ‘Art of Vengeance EP’ there was a version called ‘Groove la Chord - Shuffle mix’.

“On this version the chords are placed not on the ‘one’, as the original, but offbeat...just like Shlomi Aber’s version of it.

“And unlike the original version, my other mix has the chords just on their own in the end.

“Which means no beats or anything, unfortunately all there and easy to sample.

“Apparently, as so nicely written in his bio, not only has dance music chosen Israel for its vacation, it has apparently also lost its integrity there.

“Granted, I have a lot to thank the early Detroit sound for my source of inspiration and 80’s music...but I have never sampled anyone during my career.

“During the 10 years ‘Groove La Chord’ has been out, it has been, according to colleagues and fans, an inspiration to many tracks, and nothing makes me more proud than that a track I made 1997 in my bedroom had such an impact on people and paved the way for where I am now.

“Apart from this, I have bumped into, let’s call them, ‘tributes’ to the original and also bootlegs.

“I wanted to get the ones that bootlegged it and released it on vinyl but at least they stole my original track and bootlegged it...not taking credit for it.

“I find this incident a bit over the top.

“Whereas not only a track with the characteristics of my track, with the same chords, in the same key, played the same way and with filter sweeps....and most likely actually sampled, is being released as an original track of a person like Shlomi Aber.

“It’s in my opinion the lowest way of pursuing their own careers.”

Here’s the original of ‘Groove La Chord’ by Aril Brikha (track no.13)

Yesterday Shlomi Aber replied (with edits):

“Hi, everyone. That’s been way out of head [sic].

“I was just notified about this sad blog and nevertheless this sad issue.

“At the beginning I was sure it’s a joke, though seems like Aril has gone too far here.

“I’ve been very disappointed to see Mr. Brikha posting this blog, acting like complete jerk and avoiding checking this issue with me first.

“To make all clear … the main synth, PLAYED out from my access Virus Ti !! PRESET H46, twiked [sic] form (you are all welcome to check it easily), which to be honest you can find in 1000s of other tracks.

“All of the tracks samples, notes and keys been clear and original.

“I’m not stealing parts and have no reason to do so; the sound may be a bit similar or the same idea, but i guess he also used the same preset .

“I can say the same about million other tracks I found on the net which contain sounds from my tracks, which means that if we using preset we don’t own them, if you check carefully you can find a million other tracks which used with the same preset, though none of them is tagged as ‘Shlomi Aber’ and didn’t pull the fire in.

“I wonder what of the German producers wav will say about it, as they all use the same Moog’s bass and machines.

“As I do have the proofs for all the above, and as this accusation was unforgivable, a legal act on my behalf has been exercised on this matter.

“So a nice surprise is waiting for Mr. Brikha very soon; I’m sure he will check the facts deeper for the next time before he will accuse someone of something without any proof, and playing with someone else’s name and carrier with no justifications.

“From both me and him, I’m the one who hold the proofs.

“Have a nice day.  Best regards, Shlomi Aber”

Here’s Shlomi Aber’s ‘Efrat’ which Aril Brikha believes contains samples from ‘Groove La Chord’.

Discuss

Shlomi Aber is threatening some sort of legal action, no doubt a claim of defamation of character. He says he has proof that he never sampled Aril Brikha’s ‘Groove La Chord’.

But until that proof comes to light, the electronic music community will be divided.

What do you think? Comment below.

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