New York klezmer band The Klezmatics are celebrating their 40th anniversary and that includes a (first-time) vinyl release of absolutely their best album, Rhythm & Jews, originally issued in 1991. Full of energy and innovation, it simultaneously holds a respect for the traditions alongside a fearless attitude towards breaking them. The punning name of the album is also symptomatic of the ensemble’s irreverent approach. The vinyl version has only 10 out of 15 tracks with a few alternative takes, although nothing profoundly different.
The opening ‘Fun tashlikh’ starts with percussion, and Nubian percussionist Mahmoud Fadl gives it an Arabic flavour, immediately subverting stereotypes. Then there’s David Krakauer’s…

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