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Putumayo newest music collection, Israel, debuted recently, and it’s a diverse album befitting that country’s ethnic amalgam. A grab bag of musical influences—reggae, jazz, and electronica meld with Indian, Latin, and African rhythms—backs multilingual vocals, including Hebrew, Arabic, and Yemeni. The album is well-balanced and, at times, achieves greatness.Â
Track three, “Seret Eelem†from Hadas Dagul, plays her sweet, clear voice and acoustic guitar against a Brazilian-flavored backdrop, creating a mellow, but upbeat tune. The accordion on track four, “Ha’rikud Ha’muzar Shel Ha’lev,†a duet between Rona Kenan and Gidi Gov, brings to mind a smoky French café. The swaying melody and vocals make it feel like a drinking song—quite appropriate since the title translates to “Strange Dance of the Heart.â€
Track seven, “Tariki†by the Yemenite Jewish band Zafa, is worth the price of admission all by itself. Front woman Sharon Ben-Zadok’s hauntingly gorgeous Yemeni vocals are backed by a funk/jazz/Indian fusion that includes a sitar and a horn reminiscent of a saxophone. Israeli superstar David Broza offers track nine, “Srochim.â€Â The song’s chilled-out tempo, relaxed guitar, and meandering poetic vocals echoes the folksy rock-pop (i.e. John Mayer) that currently populates American radio.
Amal Murkus’ melancholic Arabic vocals on track eleven, “Ta’alu,†are distinctly different from anything else on the album and a welcome variation. The CD ends on a peaceful, hopeful note with The Idan Raichel Project’s “Mi Ma’amakim.â€Â Created by a master of international collaboration, Raichel’s song feels like a haven, featuring an Ethiopian folk song melody, smoothed by Western instruments and calm, uplifting vocals.
Buy Israel at Amazon.com