Tags: Middle Eastern Rock

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.

Review: Several years before Uzi Kinrot, we were lucky enough to attend a cultural exchange, of sorts, between Lithuania's burgeoning electronic scene and Israel's fertile alternative music community. The results were staggering, and in addition to presenting the Balkan state as an epicentre of leftfield dance, it also made a strong case for the Middle East as a hotbed for the kind of music makers destined to score some Quentin Tarantino or David Lynch movie. Back up to date, and Les Dynamites, whose reputation has long reached beyond their Jerusalem hometown, have returned to emphasise the latter point. Uzi Kinrot is a groove-packed double-A side that feels alive with energy, perhaps thanks to the single-take recording process. It's twangy, psychedelic, nostalgic and yet utterly timeless stuff that yearns to be heard on a beach while you hide from the heat of afternoon sun.