Back catalogue: Funk Soul & Jazz

Review: When members of mega-bands work with relatively obscurer artists, we're always intrigued. But a potential trapping factor is in thinking Jarak Qaribak, for example, is more of a Jonny Greenwood album than a Dudu Tassa one, when in fact the exact opposite is the case. Tassa, an Israeli singer-guitarist who fuses Middle Eastern stylings with contemporary rock, lends a challenging structural terrain to the Radiohead member's electric guitar licks, with the former's Arabic and Hebrew lyrics moving atmospherically against them. A star cast of fellow Israeli artists accompany the pair, as serene vocal beat-driven movements plod and swell away in an appealingly nu-proggy fashion.

Review: Dudu Tassa is one of Israel's top rock stars and here he honours his heritage as the grandson of the great Daoud Al Kuwaiti, half of the legendary Al Kuwaiti Brothers, who were icons of Arabic music from the 1930s to 1950s. He does so by modernising their classic recordings and creating a new, unique fusion of sound that has led to him performing at Coachella and supporting Radiohead on a U.S. tour. This new album edition includes a bonus track, 'Ala Shawati Dijlah Mur,' featuring Iraqi singer-composer Karrar Alsaadi. This is worldly, transportive music that travels through time and cultures with an inescapable underlying groove.

Review: Dudu Tassa's homage to his grandfather and the Al Kuwaiti Brothers, Dudu Tassa and the Kuwaitis, is a poignant and respectful revival of Iraqi musical heritage. Despite the family's forced migration to Israel, Tassa refuses to let their legacy fade into obscurity. Instead, he infuses their traditional melodies with his own rock sensibility, preserving their oud-driven dignity while injecting a contemporary energy. Tracks like 'Lo Thareeb Ana Wethroch' showcase Tassa's bold reinterpretation, blending speed and guitar burn with reverence for the original compositions. Importantly, he doesn't seek to erase or overshadow their Iraqi identity with Israeli influences but rather embraces and celebrates their cultural heritage. As one of Israel's prominent rock stars, Tassa's dedication to honoring his family's musical legacy has garnered international recognition, including performances at Coachella and tours with Radiohead. This reimagined album, featuring a live bonus track with Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead/The Smile, serves as a powerful example to the enduring influence of the Al Kuwaiti Brothers on contemporary music.