Putumayo Presents…

Israel features a roster of emerging artists that embraces thediverse musical traditions of the middle eastern country. Comprising largely ofimmigrants, this modern country is a real melting pot of backgrounds, and thefusing of styles from Europe and the middle east make a fascinating listen.

There’s a strong emphasis on melody via Jamaican reggae like the blissful andelegant swing of the country’s most famous singer-songwriter, Etti Ankri’sNilkach Meemeni Sod. On a more jazzy template, stunning Hadas Dagul’sSeret Eelem would fit into a more European contemporary repertoire than eastern,whereas Rona Kenan, a writer-singer-guitarist from Tel Aviv brings herpenchant biting lyrics and velvety voice backed by fusion of old Russian folk,cabaret, and Isreali poetry, which have brought her a massive following.

The Moshav Band, made up of the Solomon brothers Yehuda, Meir, Yosef, and friendDavid Swirsky offer a more individual sound altogether, more in the old AnimalsR’n’B mould and a 21 century twist, throwing – in a reggae undercurrent for Bereshit,from their album Return Again.

Without doubt the most fascinating listens are Zafa and Sheva. Zaza offers a beguilingmix of Yemenite Jewish music with soul, electronica and Indian flavours, withSheva (Hebrew for seven) bringing eastern flavours (Jewish/Arab) pumped by asophisticated reggae shuffle.

Amal Murkus is an Isreali Palestinian singer born and raised in Galilee. Here shebrings the uptmost mysticism from the middle east with her divine Ta’alu, whichis by far the best track on this excellent world music comp.

Trad jazz enthusiasts will lap up this one. There’s some real fun going on on New Orleans Brass without a household name in sight. Celebratingnearly 200 years of parades with brass bands marching the city, it blasts offwith Bourbon Street Parade, an exuberant James and Troy ‘ Trombone Shorty’ Andrewsprovide some scintilating traditional regional grooves (with a top Louis Armstrongvocal take) it’s segued by equally excitable Yockamo All-Stars’ Blow, Blow,Blow, taking on a more Rock’n’Roll (Jive) angle, driven by a stunning saxsolo and pounding beat – check the great drum solo. A chance meeting withStevie Wonder convinced John Boutte to pursue a music career.

His I’ll Fly Away has a more soulful stream, similar to Jackie Wilson,but manages to retain a southern jazz feel. Jazz crossover legend Dr. Johnjoins The Dirty Dozen Brass Band for a clever re-working of the Rolling Stones’It All Over Now, which, incredibly has been turned into masterful interpretation.

The genre’s most famous song – When The Saints Go Marching In is givena make over courtesy The Dukes Of Dixieland , now Saints (Street Beat) retainingthe verve and glory of the original.

By definition, Tango Around The World isn’t limited to its originsin Buenos Aries. First recorded by Argentine musician Angel Villodo in Paris,it soon spread throughout Europe, expressing the machismo and desire intocomplex dances we see today, thanks in some part to Rudolph Valentino’s sensualmoves on film.

Its Golden Age was between 1935 to 1952, though it lives on through programmeslike BBC Television’s Strictly Come Dancing. Artists from as far away asSenegal, Finland, Greece, Brazil, Norway and obviously Aregentina make theircontributions here.

Senegal’s Ousmane Toure, now a French resident after a timein USA and Dakar, opens with, what can only be described as a French tingedgem, while Finland’s M.A. Numminen & Sanna Pietiainen with the Neo Rustic TangoOrchestra adding a French gypsy flavoured Kangastus, interweaving vilolin, pianoand accordian for a more straightforward Tango template.

Oddly enough, Tango is popular Finland, second to Argentina in the world, whereit’s become a national genre, having been introduced in the early 20th century.Argentina’s Federico Aubele brings his hushed tones and acoustic guitar to aslow paced interpretation on Pena (Pain)), a tale of a love break-up. By farthe best contemporary take is by Greeks Alexis Kalofolias & Thanos Amorginos,former members of The Last Drive, a garage rock band. Gia Ligo (Just For A LittleWhile) features a striking sample of a 1948 love song by legendary Greeksinger Danae Stratigopoulou.

Despite these ‘adopted’ versions, there’s nothing quite like the indigenoustouch, with (Juan Carlos) Caceres and Ariel Prat giving a Latino masterclass,as Caceres continues to be a modern day renaissance man by bringing back theforgotten elements of the past, by renewing Tango music for today’s audience.

For more details on the tracks included on each release, please click on theAmazon link.

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