Koby Israelite - Is He Listening? (2009)

IS HE LISTENING? is the fourth Tzadik release by the Israeli multi-instrumentalist Koby Israelite. The label notes state that IS HE is Israelite's "sly take on easy listening." Sly it may be since what strikes one about the album, at least on first hearing, is the heavy, tight, and loud rock guitar playing and exuberant drumming. To be sure there are all the familiar Jewish and klezmer themes on hand as well as a variety of instruments to play them, including accordion (guest Marius Manole from the neo-gypsy band gypsy band Taraf de Haidouks), clarinet, mandolin, and buzuki. Israelite plays all of these instruments and others too numerous to list but what ultimately comes across is a strong, centered musical personality holding together the frequent overdubbing, hard-edged drum-and-bass rhythms, and lively Balkan- Middle Eastern styles.