Diaspora by Amsterdam Klezmer Band
I was sorely disappointed by the previous AKB album Bomba Pop which, as the name suggests, tried to twist the klezmer recipe to fit the dance floor. Not being someone who frequents said dance floors, I don't know if it was successful on that count, but I do know that I really did not like the beat driven tunes. Thankfully Diaspora, while offering twists of its own, is closer to the band's more familiar territory. It's the first album as far as I'm aware (except their excellent collaboration album with jazz-rock outfit Man Bites Dog) to feature a drummer, and it does give it a different dynamic to the rest of the AKB's ample talents. In particular, there's a distinct swing jazz feel on several tracks, like - ironically given the above comments - Everybody (On the dance floor) that brings something fresh and bouncy. But there are also a few mournful tunes like Granma's Dreidl where the drums up the drama and really drive the pathos home. Very cool album.
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