Kutiman

Ophir Kutiel (born 1981), professionally known as Kutiman is a musician, composer, producer and animator from Israel. He is best known for his self-titled album and collaboration with many other Israeli artists including Hadag Nahash.

Background

Ophir Kutiel was born in Jerusalem in 1981 and grew up in Zichron Yaacov. His friends nicknamed him “Kuti”. He started piano when he six years old and then drums and guitar when he was 14. When Kutiel was 18, he moved to Tel Aviv to study Jazz at Rimon Music College [1].

While working at a local convenience store in Tel Aviv, Kutiel tuned into a college radio station that was playing music that was much different than the classical jazz he had been used to playing. Soon after, Sabbo, another Israeli artist and current music partner, introduced him to afrobeat and funk, including the sounds of James Brown and Fela Kuti. His obsession with Fela Kuti and the fact that his last name was so similar led him to create the stage-name of Kutiman. He traveled to Jamaica to research reggae and afrobeat and work with Stephen and Damien Marley [2].

Music Career

Kutiman was signed to Melting Pot Music, based in Cologne in 2006. Soon After, his first single, "No Groove Where I Come From" was released and soon after, he released a hit song with Karolina of Habanot Nechama, "Music is Ruling My World". His self-titled, debut album, which received an 8.2 in Pitchfork Magazine, was released in the fall of 2007 [3]. .

Discography

No Groove Where I Come From 7' (Afro Kats) October 2006

No Groove Where I Come From! 12 (MPM) November 2006

No Reason For You 12" (MPM) March 2007

Music Is Ruling My World (w/ remix by DJ Day) 12" (MPM) June 2007

Kutiman CD/LP (MPM) November 2007

Other Work

Kutiman has worked with many other Israeli artists and is currently working on arrangement and composition of Karolina's solo album. He has also created animated videos for his song, "Chaser" and Hadag Nahash's "Eze Kif" [4][5].