By rooting their music in the ancient modes and melodies of Jewish music and then expanding in contemporary directions, The Klezmatics produce art that is resonant with tradition and yet unbound by it. Rise Up, their first non-collaborative release in five years, continues the sonic journey begun on classic albums like Jews With Horns and The Well.
Samples from a 1948 Jewish archive combine with avant horn riffs. A homoerotic love song sits beside traditional Hasidic songs. And the CD title comes from a powerful gospel-tinged revision of Holly Near’s “I Ain’t Afraid” in both Yiddish and English. Not the repertoire of your grandmother, and yet it may be the very bridge connecting us to the past.
The Klezmatics began performing “I Ain’t Afraid” for their post 9/11 concerts. “We see it as part of our purpose to be a link in the chain of all the activists who work for a better world,” explains trumpeter Frank London. “This song is one way of expressing this.” Produced by Ben Wisch.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
