Norman Cook (aka Fat Boy Slim) and Moby made a full transition from DJs into instrumentalists and vise versa… and Eilat's own prodigy isn't far behind.

Written by Matt Gee
 

The child goes wild
Born in Kibbutz Eilot in 1982, Ron Banano may have spent most of his kindergarten and early school days in a less than noisy environment. Otherwise, it would be slightly difficult to explain how in 1990, at the tender age of eight, he began to pay attention to chart music heard on the radio. The musical "scene" simply bubbled in him, not such in the creating mould but in the need to deliver a message to the public, and his decision to cooperate on a full scale was sounded in more than one manner.
He used to purchase (or trade for) any available compilation CD of contemporary chart/dance material, and after underscoring by giving away self-compiled cassette-tape copies (hands up if you remember that format), opportunity knocked for the semi-pro stage: whenever a party was either commenced or just planned in his neighborhood, he would propose himself as a DJ… and usually get the approval stamp on the spot. That was definitely not for the reason of being the only contender. It's the eagerness and passion that played the part, as future developments will testify.

Digital vs. Analog
The semi-pro equipment, which at that time was based on CD players and cassette decks, led most of the young talent's Junior-High and High school days. However, it was not before 1996, the year his family moved to Eilat, that a meeting with Zohar Levi, a name DJ who played sets nationwide, paved him the way to professionalism, with Levi being both a friend and mentor.
"Levi was my first musical-teacher-in-a-spiritual-way, for it was he who exposed me to the real world of vinyl records, 'scratching' and other stuff that digital gadgets simply can't emulate", Ron depicts enthusiastically. "I thank him a lot, not least because he has retired since".  

Gaining momentum
Having been taken under an authoritative figure's wing, age 18 was Ron's startling point as a vocational, and after scoring a residency at the "Kings" club, supporting world famous DJs such as Suzuki Sayochi and Juan, in came the big feast alongside the hunger for more. "It was very fulfilling to be considered 'The Best' in Eilat", he remarks, "but, with all due respect, one can only go that far on a certain location. Once you reached that, you start to plan your next move". He then progressed to play sets all over the country, notably at the "Forum", "Baraka" and "Q" clubs in Beer-Sheeva.

Sample, Scratch and Storm
In 2001, after buying some basic studio equipment consisting of large capacity computer, modules and sound effect providers, microphones, a guitar and MIDI keyboard, he began to experiment with programming and sampling. He then proceeded to record musicians in his living room, which was partly transformed into a studio. The decks, meanwhile, provided the backbone, with the strongest period as a DJ so far taking place at the Base Bar, attracting Hip-Hop pilgrims from all over the country and Europe as well. The act was thrilling, the crowd was yelling for more, the nights were packed and dark… but the future had to wait a little.
 
Sound-whizz, if you please
The year was 2003. Although fairly in its infancy at the time, the whole production process was a challenging experience, and with money starts coming in, the direction was re-modeling. With the aforementioned equipment re-located to a new, more comfortable house, and after developing thoughts and some creative concepts (that would eventually make him leave the DJ phase behind), our man's acquaintance with Royee Lavi, leader of Eilat's prime band The Tavlinim, was to re-shape things once more.
Apart from being Ron's regular tutor, or actually his "second-teacher-in-a-spiritual-way" on musical instruments, the new pal has proven to be a key instrument himself, since he knew people in the industry and had already participated in quite a few productions. The two started to experiment together and Royee introduced singers to Ron's recording facilities, with the most memorable artist involved being Shiri Maymon that has since scored three albums and also Israel's entry at the 2006 Eurovision song contest.

The Period in the "Tavlinim"
As the bond with Royee Lavi has gone stronger, Ron was invited to join the band. The DJ role, as in combos like Jamiroquai, was right in place, and the new lineup's first fruit, the song "Ein Sof" (endless), was originally recorded and produced by him.
It's interesting to note that, despite the fact that the song had to be re-recorded for inclusion on the band's first album, and without Ron's involvement, it was the very first version that found favor with the public, and though never officially released, it's still aired in many Israeli pubs.

The Tavlinim gigged all across the country, appeared in a number of festivals and excited the teenage crowd… but the other members' wish to move to Tel Aviv was to lead to Ron's departure. Bearing in mind that, at the insistence of the record company, most of his DJ roles were not heard on the album anyway, he opted to quit the band in 2005 and remain in Eilat. Whilst continuing as the decks man at the Dolphin Riff, where he would play sets residentially in front of up to a thousand partygoers each Tuesday night, he kept concentrating, developing and expanding on studio work… and his role at a technical manager at "Kol Hayam Ha'adom" local radio station between 2007-2009 got him exposed to even further tricks and inspiration.

Another re-location
In 2010, Ron opened his new, fully-equipped "Banano Music" recording studio, where he produce and records various artists, as well as his own compositions, including jingles and adverts for many radio stations in Israel, and also teaches basic musical skills on various instruments. The studio is also including video production and CD duplication services, and the aim is only towards expansion. 

Remixing a hit record
Whilst there are talents in Eilat still waiting for their time in the sun (no pun intended!), Tel Aviv also makes some calls… and from the Israeli market's viewpoint, Ron's most notable work to date is the 2010 dance remix produced for "Orot", a song by established singer Avraham Tal. The offer came after the song's original version was hammered on radio, and since the partygoers are already known to be important audience, a dance version for them to imbibe on appeared essential.
Dance producer/musician Shlomi Avratz, who got the original multi-track from the production company, made a new arrangement. Ron then remixed the recording to the total satisfaction of all parties… and as we speak, this re-creation is still played on radio and clubs.

 
Hitting on the idea: The present through the past
Following yet another set of developments and experiments in the studio at its current location, Ron came to the conclusion that his true sound is finally here… and the next move was to produce a series of tracks, with the aim to complete an album when time permits.
When he sits and listens to his new creations, it dawns on him that some of his early influences were introduced into the pot, albeit subconsciously rather than intentionally. Somehow, the rapture is felt the same way as it did back in the early 1990s via cheap earphones, when the little kid first dreamed of walking the path. 

 
In august 2011, the new studio is thriving… but the collection of vinyl records is kept in a closet. Not only isn't that part of the testimony speaking, it's also blinded from the sun.

May that be a beginning of a new song? We'll keep you posted

Written by Matt Gee