Comments on: I used to love a klezmer band that went by the name of Jewbacca.

Question: I used to love a klezmer band that went by the name of Jewbacca.

msali — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:47:13 -0800

Klezmer hip hop? Did I hear that correctly? In a store this afternoon, I heard a few tracks off of an album that I could only classify as klezmer hip hop. There was a very traditional klezmer feel to one track, with the horns, in a minor key, yet there was a very funky hip hop beat underneath it. The next track had a more Arabic sound to it, yet there was still a klezmer, hip hop vibe. I loved it, and I want more. For comparison's sake, it sounded somewhat like Ozomatli, in that there was a real blend of styles. My search on the internet turned up Abraham Inc., which is cool, but isn't it. Can anybody tell me what I heard, or barring that, some other good klezmer hip hop?

By: cog_nate

cog_nate — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:57:00 -0800

This is a longshot, but it wasn't something from the Borat soundtrack, was it?

By: Asparagirl

Asparagirl — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:01:11 -0800

Was it Hip Hop Hoodios? Matisyahu does reggae with a hip-hop vibe. And then there's last year's "Easter Bonnet" contest entry from the cast of the Broadway show "In The Heights", though I think only video is available of that one.

By: nomisxid

nomisxid — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:05:41 -0800

There is a trip-hop collective-y kind of group, dunklebunt, that put out the amazing moregenlandfahrt album, which is pretty klezmer heavy, and hip-hop-ish.

By: needs more cowbell

needs more cowbell — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:12:09 -0800

Y-love? I'm not sure how Klezmer-y it is, but it's hiphop with elements of Jewish music.

By: Max Power

Max Power — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:19:52 -0800

I heard something on NPR about klezmer hip hop, but wasn't paying attention, so its out there, wish I could be more help.

By: jammy

jammy — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:34:35 -0800

was it all instrumental or were there any vocals? if so, in what language?

alot of neo-gypsy stuff incorporates hip hop & klezmer sounds - maybe you heard something from Balkan Beat Box?

a good compilation of this kind of music is Gypsy Groove from Putumayo - another one is Electric Gypsyland from Six Degrees

By: msali

msali — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:37:09 -0800

Thanks for all the great suggestions so far. Although Hip Hop Hoodios are cool, the singing that I did hear wasn't in English. I am also not knowledgeable enough to know what language it is, except that it ain't English. I suspect it was either Hebrew/Arabic/Yiddish. Nomisxid, dunklebunt it ain't, but that is good stuff. I LOVE that.

By: sourwookie

sourwookie — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:37:41 -0800

Balkan Beat Box was the band featured on NPR.

By: micayetoca

micayetoca — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:42:52 -0800

This record (myspace here) is exactly what you are after.

By: micayetoca

micayetoca — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:44:08 -0800

Brilliant. I didn't include the amazon link, sorry, here it is.

By: msali

msali — Fri, 09 May 2008 15:46:33 -0800

Jammy got it! Thank you so much! The song I heard is called "Sunday Arak". Off to Itunes to purchase the whole damn album, which is awesome. Thank you askmefi, once again for your valuable assistance and suggestions.