world balkan classical classical crossover contemporary classical gypsy neo-classical roots tribal world fusion London

Koby Israelite Fanfare Ciocarlia world music modern contemorary Klezmer Gypy music

Here, on Jacob’s Dream, Koby Israelite demonstrates a gentler, more sophisticated side. “My grandmother bought me a piano when I was three and I started playing by ear,” says Koby. “When I was six I started to have piano lessons but I never liked it - I guess I had the wrong teacher for my rebellious personality! I got into music seriously when my parents finally gave up and bought me my first drum kit. I was very much then into rock music. Later on, in my late teens and early twenties, I got into jazz and classical music.” Koby shifted to London aged 22 and began drawing on the rhythms, sounds, vibrations and energies of this vast city so to create a music that reflected his hunger to create new sounds. “I was very happy to be exposed to so many genres of music really. I was never a purist, always liked to mix things together and create my own voice. My love affair with Eastern European music came by chance. I went to see Taraf de Haidouks in 2001 here in London. My mom is Romanian, I can speak the language, so I thought I’ll visit my roots (so to speak). They played an astonishing set and I got hooked for the accordion after seeing them – I don’t know why but I did. The next day I bought an accordion and, for a long time, it became my prime instrument. I recorded my music then, putting together everything I knew and thought I knew, and sent it to John Zorn (the maverick New York City musician who mixes thrash/jazz/surf/Rota and more to create soundtracks for non-existent films and much else) and this kicked off my career.” Koby released four albums through John Zorn's Tzadik Records label: Dance of the Idiots, Mood Swings, Orobas: Book of Angels Volume 4 and Is He Listening? Zorn said of Koby’s music, “he enjoys smashing genres together and grinding them into dust. Koby has absorbed an astounding array of musics, and blends them together here in dynamic and colorful musical world all his own. As complex and finely crafted as Naked City, Frank Zappa or Mr. Bungle at their best, the music on Dance Of The Idiots, Koby’s debut recording, is a passionate exploration of the Jewish experience. Cantorial Death Metal, Nino Rota Klezmer, Balkan Surf, Catskills free improvisation. You’ve never heard such sounds.”
On these albums Koby worked with noted musicians from different genres, including Roberto de Brasov, the brilliant Romanian accordionist, making music that sounded like no one else. Busy both leading his own band and playing and producing other artists, Koby built an international reputation. Asphalt Tango released his album Blues From Elsewhere in 2013 and later issued Annique’s debut album Heads Up (which he co-wrote and produced). He then began composing for mighty Romanian brass band, Fanfare Ciocarlia – contributing outstanding tunes to their 2016 album Onwards To Mars! and 2021’s It Wasn’t Hard To Love You.
“The challenge was huge for me as Fanfare are my heroes,” says Koby. “I wrote the songs for them using brass midi sounds and hoped that they would love what I do - as simple as that. Gladly they did and, I guess, asking me to write for a second album confirms that.” Keeping himself busy over lockdown, Koby worked on new compositions for what would become this album, Jacob’s Dream. Here is not the raging Balkan/metal mash-up he once was known for – well, there is a taste of such on one track – times have changed and so has Koby: Jacob’s Dream is an album full of spiritual questing and melodic beauty. “Recently, I had a lot of free time listening to music, especially to my beloved Chopin, and I guess I was inspired. Maybe I progressed or I’m just getting old. I’m not sure. What I am sure of is that Jacob’s Dream is my best work so far. I’m very proud of it.”

Jacob's Dream

American folk meets the Eastern Europe, from hard to catagorise Israeli-born London music producer. 

It is true to say that nothing comes from nothing and something always comes from something. With this as a working philosophy, Koby has skillfully made connections between the american folk music of Blues, Bluegrass and country'n'western and then balanced them with the other immigrant sounds of eastern european and balkan melodies. Bringing out the Eastern European and Balkan elements and raising them upon the saddle of american rock, blues and folk.

As a multi-instrumentalist his skill and virtuosity expresses itself throughout. At times effervescent, at other times reflective but always expressive. What remains is his signature style, where the accordion (dubbed as the new guitar) swings and sways with all the bewilderment of the circus, taking the listener through a gypsy fair set in the mid-west, travelling from town to town, city to state. The mix of styles conjure up a motley crew of blues musicians, Klezmoriim and balkaneers on a road trip across America. This wave of delirium, staggers and sways the listener, keeping them on the edge of their seat and the very borders of the genres, where one style meets another.

Whether as an ode to Johnny Cash, a nod to the skiffle bands, the vocal trios and quartets of 1950's or the hazy dreaminess of Led Zeppelin in his tribute to Kashmir, Koby brings these diverse elements together and balances them in this, his latest release. The composition's in the “blues from elsewhere” suite are connected through modern american rock but given an eastern slavic temperament. From the italian mandolin's of “Crayfish Hora” to slide guitar of “Subterranean Homesick Blues”. It is the powerful and adept voice of Annique that steps in to add a sweet, smoky tinged powerful rock edged soul and bring the American element up to date with a vocal power, versatility and range worthy of the rock and roll halls of fame.

Blues from Elsewhere

Koby’s latest musical adventure is a journey into the amazing world of great european composers. He reinterprets some of the great works of the past, compositions by Chopin, Mozart, Stravinsky and Dvorak. The album also includes reimaginations of works by Gershwin, Schubert, Saint-Saens, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Bizet, Chatschaturjan and Donizetti.
The idea of recording an album dedicated only to classical music, was born while working on his arrangement for Brahms’s Hungarian Dance No. 1 for his previous album „Jakob’s Dream“.
With his by now signature quirky sound and original approach he takes on pieces like „The Rite of Spring“, Rachmaninov’s „3rd piano concerto“ and makes them sound like no one else can. With his unique approach, individual vision and yet, great respect for tradition and the compositions themselves.
The album’s diversity is due to Koby Israelite’s wide array of musical styles. From cinematic atmospheric melancholy to ‘Village Folk’ to prog Rock to smoky Cabaret. As on all his albums, Koby plays most instruments himself.
The album also includes Serenade #4 by Schubert, Danse Macabre by Saint-Saens, Mozart 40th Symphony and other masterpieces.

Mostly Peaceful

Koby Israelite

12 €

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