I just came from posting a reply from the Reverend Rock thread and it got me open to this subject..

If anyone reading this is from Israel or listens to any music from Israel or is an Israeli aritst, it would be very interesting to hear from you about your thoughts on music in Israel, today, in the past and in the future.

Of course, if you have never heard any Israeli music in your life, it doesn't matter, I'd love to hear from anyone.

I have heard some Israeli music, but what I've heard is not contemporary music, but folk songs. I have an album called Yehoram Gaon: Shabbath Songs in the Sephardic Tradition in my vinyl collection. What is currently going on in Israeli music? Is there an Israeli music scene that combines traditional and contemporary forms? What is your opinion of Middle Eastern rai?

Most people look at me weird when I tell them this, but I rather enjoy Isriaeli music.

Hi DesolatedMaggot...nothing weird at all!! What kinds of Israeli music have you enjoyed?

I would suggest checking out John Zorn's Masada recordings. Zorn incorporates Jewish music with post bop/avant-garde jazz by way of Ornette Coleman.

Specifically these live recordings.
Live in Sevilla 2000
Live in Jerusalem
Live at Tonic, 2001
Live in Middleheim
Live in Taipei - the sound quality on this recording is not that good. If not for that I would rank it higher based on the music.

Of the studio recordings, the first 3 are the best.

There are also his Masada Chamber Ensembles' recordings. For these he takes the Masada compositions and rearranges them for chamber music. But since it's Zorn its avant-garde chamber music. There are two Chamber groups. The Bar Kokhba Sextet and the Masada String Trio.

Bar Kokhba
The Circle Maker

Masada String Trio: 50th Birthday (live) - I haven't heard this one yet. It was recorded as part of the 30-day celebration at the Tonic in NYC for his 50th birthday. Every one of the Zorn groups played throughout the month and everything was recorded.

Of the two that I have heard I prefer The Circle Maker. It's a two-disc set in which each group plays on a separate disc. So, you know Zorn does not play on any of these.

Keeping track with all Zorn’s recordings and groups can be expensive.

I've only heard various peices here and there. I don't think anyone of them had an actual band or artist's name to it.

Well except this band, Orphaned Land, which mixes traditional Israel music with metal. Good stuff.

Hi, I know that I answered this without knowing, in another thread, so I'll copy and paste some of that info for anyone else who would like to know. Also, please let me know of any great Rai artists. I only know Khaled, Cheb Mami and Faudel. I had a cd of 1,2,3 Soleil. I love Faudel.

Oh, and I'm going to look up Yehoram Gaon. I am drawn to Sephardic culture.

I saw John Zorn live in London a couple of years ago. I had never heard of him until that night. The gig was really great. I will check out the titles mentioned here, although I am quite broke . I love the sound of traditional Israeli music mixed with metal!! OH!! I missed their gig, it was tonight. I didn't make this party tonight and I've stayed in. This band Orphaned Land were playing. Oh well, I'll check to see when they are playing next.