Record Reviews

BALKAN BEAT BOX ~ BALKAN BEAT BOX NANA 6180 (Barcode: 7290010009824) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2004 Released: 2005 This is the 1st album by Israeli Jazz ensemble Balkan Beat BoxFind albums by this artist, co-founded by drummer / composer Tamir MuskatFind albums by this artist and saxophonist / flautist Ori KaplanFind albums by this artist, who were later joined by vocalist Tomer YosefFind albums by this artist. A plethora of additional instrumentalists / vocalists guest on selected tracks. The album presents eleven tracks, all based on Folkloristic melodic and rhythmic sources. The ensemble founders met in NY, where this album was recorded. The music is an absolutely weird mixture of World Music influences, which originate from the Middle East, Balkans, Gypsy tradition and many other sources, mixed with contemporary rhythmic elements and Jazz improvisations, which make it completely universal. At the time of its release, the album was completely revolutionary and achieved instant popularity worldwide, both by “serious” music lovers and dancehall enthusiasts, thanks to its hypnotic rhythmic layers. The ensemble released seven albums to date. Overall, this is a brilliant example of a trend to create “universal” music, which takes different musical traditions and fuses them into a new aesthetic environment, all done with fabulous taste and imagination. It still sounds quite innovative today and is a great fun to listen to!

Updated: 02/05/2026Posted: 02/05/2026

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