VA - The Rough Guide To The Music Of Israel (2006)

As with other single-country collections, there isn't simply one type of music that appears on The Rough Guide to the Music Of Israel. This is a young country with an ancient culture; consequently, the Jewish Diaspora has come home to roost with a myriad of influences it has picked up over time. The 14 tracks here range from Yemenite diva Ofra Haza to the glossy global pop of Idan Raichel's Project to first lady of song Chava Alberstein to the aptly named Israeli Andalusian Orchestra. Yasmin Levy is a distinct highlight--her powerful voice and striking beauty make for a glamorous fusion of gypsy, Sephardic, and Ladino music. And while much of this music is rooted in tradition or is acoustic, the jazzy grooves and rapping of Hadag Nahash have a modern-day pop sensibility that gets kids moving on the dance floor. This will be a real eye-opener for those expecting only cantors and Klezmer tunes.~ Tad Hendrickson