Rough Guide to Klezmer (Second Edition)

Liner Note Author: Dan Rosenberg.
Photographers: Nina Lehmann; Ken Maltz; Jochen Kirch; Oliver Klix; Liane Harris.
Translators: Irène Rognier; Isaac Gómez Martel.
Rough Guide's second version of its introduction to modern klezmer includes sides from the Klezmatics, Frank London's Klezmer Brass Allstars, Flying Bulgars, and Brave Old World, but also includes cuts that showcase the blended paths this adaptable music form has taken in recent years, incorporating elements of Gypsy folk, jazz, rock, and hip-hop into a blend that has often spoken out on cultural and social issues much like reggae, another highly adaptable stream of music, has done. This collection is just the tip of the iceberg, of course, but it does make for a succinct glance at this exciting, fun, and ever-evolving musical genre. ~ Steve Leggett