Looking Glass Love (Predatory Games) [feat. Avi Singolda, Dor Nagar & Ido Maimon]

The Tuval Cain project was conceived by David Lawrence Kuhn, an American who made aliyah (immigrated) to Israel in 2002. Tuval Cain’s debut album, “Forging the Future”, is a tour de force of neo-classic rock with a creative energy that hasn’t been seen since 1970s progressive bands, without losing sight of mainstream appeal. Its range of styles include a unique type of jazz-rock fusion and features lyrics that are as powerful as the music.

The project took 26 years from conception to release. The earliest song appearing on “Forging the Future” was written in 1987 and might never have seen the light of day had it not been for a radical change in its author’s course of life. The author describes having been to hell in his lifetime, including epression, self-destruction, rebellion, and a life of excess. This album reflects the author’s personal saga, including the ongoing struggle between hedonism and self control, culminating in a refound faith.

This project features some of Israel’s leading musicians, including Avi Singolda on guitar, who is widely considered to be one of Israel’s #1 guitarists. It also features Dor Nagar on vocals, a singer that can be counted as one of the handful of truly great rock singers; Adam Ben Ezra on bass has played with many outstanding performers and has a blossoming solo career; Ido Maimon is one of the leading and busiest drummers in Israel, and David Lawrence Kuhn on keyboards, influenced by the likes of Jon Lord, Keith Emerson, Ray Manzarek, and Dave Brubeck. The musicians on this album have played with an array of Israel’s most acclaimed musicians, such as: Shlomo Artzi, Mosh ben Ari, Sarit Hadad, Idan Raichel, and Arik Einstein. (Full credits below)

Produced and arranged by Noam Hartmann and Avi Chen at the Mushroom recording studio in Ramat Gan, this album has a rich tapestry of sounds, including sax, flute and violin.

Influences include Deep Purple Jethro Tull, the Doors, The Beatles, Steely Dan, Queen, Kansas, Van Morrison, Paul Simon, Rainbow, ELP, Yes, Kansas, Blood Sweat and Tears, Crosby Stills and Nash, Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Meatloaf, Rush, Brian Setzer, Stray Cats, Andrew Lloyd Weber, Dave Brubeck, Thelonious Monk, Mozart, Mussorgsky, and Bach.

The name Tuval Cain comes from the book of Genesis. He is a direct descendant of Cain, and was the originator of working with iron, bronze, and brass. As such, he is blamed by some for creating weapons for mass murderers, but he must also be credited with making tools for working the land. He was the first chemist, a master of martial arts, and known as the strongest man alive. His brother, Yuval, invented the harp and flute. Tuval Cain was tragically killed by his own father.

The songwriter aims to promote more positive messages than is common in rock these days while not holding back at all from rocking out, or reducing the songs to a sanitized version.

The track Nomad will be appearing in Prog Rock Magazine's Unsigned Bands competition with voting open to the general public between Sept 23rd and Oct 23rd.

FULL CREDITS

David Lawrence Kuhn: All music, lyrics, and keyboards
Dor Nagar: Lead vocals on all songs
Avi Singolda: Guitars on all Songs
Ido Maimon: Drums and percussion on all songs
Adam ben Ezra: Electric bass on Don’t Try to Change Me, Retrobate, and Wandering I;
acoustic bass on Nomad, Spiral Down, Looking Glass Love, No More Need.
Noam Hartman: Bass on Power, A Distant Well, Looking Glass Love, There will be Time, Jonah,
The World is My Dominion; and Shofar (Ram’s horn) on Jonah.
Shaul Barkan: Alto and tenor sax on Nomad, Power, and There will be Time.
Guy Wittenberg: Alto sax A Distant Well, Retrobate, sax solo on Nomad and violin on Nomad.
Udi Perlman: Flute on Spiral Down, No More Need, Wandering I
Tal Yehoshua Karat: Vocals on There will be Time, Don't Try to Change Me
Avi Chen: Additional guitar on There will be Time
Produced, Arranged, Recorded and Mixed by Noam Hartmann and Avi Chen at the Mushroom Recording Studio in Ramat Gan, Israel.
Mastered by Jeff Willens at Zanvil audio.
Cyril van der Haegan - Cover art

FULL LYRICS BELOW

NOMAD

Years ago I went away to no man's land in search of shelter.
Never had a place to stay, no master plan, I cut the tether.
Some say I've gone astray, but that's a scam we pull together.
Turn around and choose my way, soon as I can to get unfettered.

Moving along, I'll throw out all my keys.
Always wrong but it never bothered me.
Turning away from your hypocrisy.
Exiting from this civilized catastrophe.

Leaving everything behind, all the strangers, I don't need fools!
Everything that made me blind to all the fakers. I'm not a tool!
Ask me and you might just find, I'm no damn taker and I won't be used.
Heading for another kind of subtle dangers. I'm not amused.

Moving along, I'll throw out all my keys.
Always wrong but it never bothered me.
Turning away from your hypocrisy.
Exiting from this civilized catastrophe.

Long gone, moved on, far from here.
No clan, no hand, no land revered.

The impasse, at long last, disappeared.
Released, found peace, and now I’m free.

WANDERING I

Down the street beyond to find a chance to breathe and clear my mind.
Spring fever fills the air; to look around it's perfectly clear.
Lying out upon the grass, the first is always better than the last.
Back to nature, once returned, twice received the pleasures that I've earned.

Discipline is leaving.
I've lost my self control.
There's a fortune in believing
my strength will claim its hold.

Circling bodies stir the tide.
In gentle waves, we slowly drift away.
Then ashore, as if to dry, we make our way, the pass beneath the shade.
The cavern calls us both inside.
No finer thing on earth was made.
Life begins, eternal ride;
enjoy it now before it fades

Discipline is leaving.
I've lost my self control.
There's a fortune in believing
my strength will claim it's hold.

The fertile field must be restored.
Each drop must have its place.
Some things are too good to ignore,
and so I warn that this dam must break.

Naked moonlight, wandering I -
I could not simply set aside
all I longed for from my youth finally comes to full fruition.
Intuition served me well.
For now it is too soon to tell.
My head and heart are not my own.
I have to say my body has my soul.

Discipline is leaving.
I've lost my self control.
There's a fortune in believing
my strength will claim it's hold.

The fertile field must be restored.
Each drop must have its place.
Some things are too good to ignore and so I warn:
that this dam must break!
that this dam must break!
that this dam must break!

SPIRAL DOWN

Spiral down the stairs I fell.
I struck my head upon the rail.
I woke to find that everything had changed.
Once I started to perceive,
I could not help but to believe that what had taken place had been arranged.

Murder lies you still seduce.
Hanging thread unbinds the noose.
Having known the burden of control,
the fall was set to turn her loose:
something she could put to use,
but I'm moving ever closer to my goal.

Chorus
I have a will that I'd rather not own;
Comes in dreams, but I wish it would go.
It cannot be! It's all that I know.
Here it comes
another one
One more time before it's over – No!

Raining noon, the waves increase;
crashing through the silence breach,
carrying her further from the land.
I siphoned off and drowned the leech to end the everlasting feast -
Went ashore to find her on the sand.

Chorus

Sky the far and distant blue, I found that I'd returned to you.
See now that your hands have come untied.
Sun who dared to melt my wings;
mother who unleashes spring;
reminding me I never really died.

Chorus

POWER

Power is the beating of the heart of a lion,
prancing and roaming as the king of the plains.
Power is the grizzly defending her young,
roaring away, waving arms in the air.
Power is the legacy of words as they're left upon me,
made to scar or less to heal, they never leave my brain.
Power is what lies beyond and fills this world with pale reflections,
the sun that glimmers in a flowing stream.

How shall you come to be stronger than you've ever imagined?
Poised on the edge of victory, all challengers mere illusion -
Stand and gaze the force within you now.

Power is the courage to run from a fight.
Sometimes killing the ego's the way to survive.
Power lies in silence when you know that you're right -
Better to smile and make it through the night.
Power is the moment of man when first he meets his greatest challenge,
when what he is, he finally owns, and refuses to take the easy way.
Power is the bond of love to dash the heart or seal its oneness.
The power of one is all you'll ever really need.

How shall you come to be stronger than you've ever imagined?
Poised on the edge of victory, all challengers mere illusion -
Stand and gaze, the force within you now (by reaching to eternity).

A DISTANT WELL

I had a thought in mind when I asked you all to stay.
Come and join our gathering right now with no delay.
Rivalries mean nothing here so leave them at the door.
I have brought you here and now for love and not for war.
No one here can claim the right.
Spouting words, but rule by might.
I once had a dream when two were one for real.

Then we tried to start it all over.
Better days were just ahead.
We would bring a better tomorrow.
We would lead and you'd be led into a garden paradise.
Just come along. Don't think twice.
We'd be the ones to finally do what generations failed to choose.
Taking brothers by the hand, no matter creed or their homeland.
We knew what's really best for you - We the wise men, you the fools.

On your knees you cannot see the forest for the trees.
Stop this senseless groveling and take just what you need.
Do not ever apologize upon the stand you climb onto.
Go ahead and sermonize and plainly paint a view.
No one here can claim the right.
Spouting words, but rule by might.
I once had a dream when two were one for real.

When the morning comes again,
I'll be here with you, my friend.
Never will we end apart; tied forever from the heart.
We’ll live out our last days;
Come into our own as we claim:
We’ll rise again starting tomorrow,
holding those who'd cause us sorrow out away apart from us.
Are you someone I can trust?
It has become so crystal clear: We can’t give in to needless fear.

Only those high barriers are worth the time it costs.
I'd rather be a carrier of pride before it's lost.
A distant well, I'll reach, no help, and draw it for myself.
I'll share with you a drink or two and raise it to our health.
No one here can claim the right.
Spouting words, but rule by might.
I once had a dream when two were one for real.

LOOKING GLASS LOVE (PREDATORY GAMES)

Out of the darkness, into the light…
Hoping to find there, hoping I might soon resolve the past
has been emptied, all things entwined,
if only I'd been there, if only the time
could come around again.

Lost in a moment that had its allure…
Thought I heard footsteps, a knock on the door…
Must have been the win-
dow you see me, looking glass love,
the sight of an angel reminding me of
going home again.

After the clouds roll and cover the hills,
no one can see me so I do what I will.
After the rainbow is torn from the sky,
After the anger gives way to a sigh...

I turned my back on you, only for a minute;
Spun around and found you, taken opportunity.
You tried to gain at each and every opening;
Prying the wedge I gave you to use against me.
I'll take it back! I'll claim what's mine.
Agree to tame the wilder instincts in you.
Predatory games will get you nowhere in the end.
Recognize the opening to not do ill again!


NO MORE NEED

Never before have my eyes held such pleasures to behold.
Something in your face had shown the way to perfect grace.
In the midst of a one-man show I'd had the chance to taste
the coming of your love appeared and sent me on my way.

Lonely night I met your gaze and failed to look away.
Softly did I draw you near, your mind so gently swayed.
High as a kite with hand in mind you swore that you would stay.
Then by chance our lips did meet, your mind so gently swayed.

There was a time not long ago my life was balanced on a beam.
No answer to my melody, there was no harmony.
Everything that was to pass was not quite as it seemed.
Surely if I'd met you then, I'd say it had to be a dream.
But now that we're together, my dear, I've no more need to dream.
Yes, now that we're together, my dear, I've no more need to dream.

DON’T TRY TO CHANGE ME

Don't try to change me!
Take me as I am.
Don't try to save me!
I'm doing what I can.
Don't try to chain me!
I've caught onto your scam.
Don't rearrange me!
If honey that's your plan.

I'm fine and I'm in overdrive.
The times make it hard to survive.
I grab the joy where I can make it.
At least you know that I'm not fakin'.
I know before that you've been taken.
But I'm not gonna change!!!

Don't try to change me….

Your standard high with expectation,
disappointing and frustrating.
Watch where you're assigning blame.
I'm not the only one insane.
It's up to me to build the bridge.
Across to all he might-have-beens.
I won't regret now that's for sure.
Would you really have me pure?
I think you need a little dirt.
To drag you down back to the Earth.

Bring it down
Get your head out of the clouds
What you think and feel.
Come on and make it real!

Don't try to change me…

THERE WILL BE TIME

You know I always wanted to be in for certain
and to furthen all the better days, and the times of our lives,
and to know you, and to show you:

How do I know there will be time, near?
How would it show if it were otherwise, dear?
And maybe in time, you'll come to know why
I'll always be around if you care to pass your way by.
Come home to me.
All I want to do is near you.
Yesterday is passing swifter than the breeze.

And when the day will come when we are to be as one,
sure as the springtime winds will bring the rain,
as it falls, new life awaits.
And one day we'll be much stronger.
In the meantime, if you don't mind,
hang on just a little bit longer,
as I remind you of days gone by.

How do I know there will be time, near?
How would it show if it were otherwise, dear?
And maybe in time, you'll come to know why
I'll always be around if you care to pass your way by.
Come home to me.
All I want to do is near you.
Yesterday is passing swifter than the breeze.

JONAH'S DOUBT

I've been living all my days in such pleasant contemplation
and I really had it made.
As I awoke today, a stumbling block was laid.
Don't want to throw it all away.
I think that I'll escape.
For I don't want to be the laughter of the chosen or a warning to the vile;
but as it seems, what I really want to be is not for me to decide.
I wish I could find another way to plow the fields and reap my grain…
Maybe go where no one's gone…
Find the time to follow other longings.

JONAH

Jonah, where you going? Don’t you run away from me!
I know that you’re scared, but in going out to sea.
You’re leaving me no choice.
You’ve been clearly warned.
They’ll throw you overboard.
You’re raising up a storm.

I scream in my affliction!
From the netherworld cried I.
I’ve never known such sorrow.
For I am cast out from Your eyes.
And I remembered His name.
Return to me, I prayed.
Your mercy shone.
Your servant knows.
I have vowed and I will pay.

Shout from the rooftops to down below.
I’ll be with you as you go.
Change your ways for in 40 short days.
Your city will be surely overthrown.

The time had elapsed and evil was cast
like a stone from off their hands.
And Jonah aghast cried at long last:
Jonah and Narrator
It’s better that I die than I live.
It’s better that I die than I live.

What can I do to calm you?
How can I make you see?
The man of war that you believe in is just a side of me.
You're angry that you're made a fool and the city won't get its due.
You'd do well to remember all I've done for you.
You're angry I removed your shelter;
I raised it overnight.
You didn't sweat your brow to grow it and yet you mourn it's plight.
How can I not save my child?
I yearn each day for his return.
10 Thousands fold and even more -
Why would I let them burn?!
Maybe yet they'll learn.


THE WORLD IS MY DOMINION

The world is my dominion, resting at my feet.
Don't you know that my right hand stretches to infinity?
From my lungs you're breathing.
From my eyes you see.
I'd like to bring you nearer, closer to divinity.
Man you must be crazy thinking you're alone.
Do you think you're nothing more than flesh and bone?
I am the creator.
I breathed to you a soul.
Never go on thinking that you're lost and on your own.

You can wallow in your sorrow and feel the depths of pain.
Give yourself to dark despair or you can go and start again.
See the seed, you'll know the tree, its roots, and then the sapling.
Rise again and I'll pretend as if it never happened.

No more will I hear children cry.
No anger screams or hopeless sighs.
Your joy will reach new heights, revelling in pure delight.
For I have heard your cries and pleas.
What will you show me from your memories?
Were you sullen or wrought with greed,
Lost in selfish revelries?
Or did you have in mind the needs of your friends in your old routine?
I had in mind another way, saving it for a better day
when the light is amplified,
when life itself is magnified.
Put away your time of grief.
The time is come for your relief.

You can wallow in your sorrow and feel the depths of pain.
Give yourself to dark despair or you can go and start again.
See the seed, you'll know the tree, its roots, and then the sapling.
Rise again and I'll pretend as if it never happened.

Right down through the ages I see the folly of the man.
Who could get a glimpse of me?
I can count them on my hand
Never mind, I don't care.
I will bring you to your goal.
Though you will not understand, I am deep within your soul.

RETROBATE

Do you remember when we were slaves?
Our masters cruel, their lives depraved.
Do you remember when we bowed to the whip?
With broken backs from heaving bricks.
For so many years we believed we'd be free.
Waiting for the word to leave.
Then he came and started the game.
Broke our bonds by the sight of a plague.
We hid in caves, our rescue delayed -
Just then you tried to ascend to the throne.

He was saying:
Still you believed you were never alone,
deceiving you then with blood from a stone.
Oh, what would you do if He came and called on you:
Unsheathe your sword and start the war.
Would you believe in him anymore?
(Repeat)

Who is this who's come to lead to bring an end to agony?
Wasting all our energy, his vanity is ill conceived.
Don't you see through his disguise?
Questioned once, but twice denied.
Can we cross the great divide between us all on every side?
Join me as I jump the fence: a gathering with no pretense.
We are one.
Why let us be denying our humanity.

We have almost reached our coming of age,
the beginning of days.
Enter correction, complete perfection -
I'm sick of avoiding detection.