Melech Mechaya

“Melech Mechaya” means “party kings” in Hebrew; band founded in 2006 in Lisbon; mix of traditional tunes with their own compositions; great arrangements and musicianship. Wonderful textures and timbres from acoustic instruments and voices. Think Portuguese Jewish Gypsy Kings. Play any track. They're all amazing. Best CD I've reviewed since coming to KZSU!

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*1 -(3:32) – starts with violin over acoustic bass, some vocalization, lively beat; smooth clarinet comes in, finger snapping

*2-(3:39) – lively, nice texture, plucked strings with smoothness of horns, harmony; slows down to interesting, sweet violin and cymbal combo, and then speeds up again

*3-(2:23) – begins with violin dialogue with percussion; turns lively

*4-(2:28) – nice clarinet work, shouting at end (Mazel Tov!)

**5-(2:59) – builds on corrido form; percussive playing; trills, very happy-sounding

**6-(4:35) -starts with flamenco type chords and fado style singing followed by clarinet and guitar

*7-(2:52) –starts with somber chords; then speeds up; weaving of melodies and percussions

*8-(3:20)- a little more experimental sounding as befits name “Caleidoscopia”

*9-(3:31) – fast, straight ahead with a bit of klezmer horn, slows for sweet violin and then speeds up again and then slows, and so on and so forth; some yelling near end; this music does not bore!

*10 -(2:34) – starts super fast; on a tear with running bass, slows with violin melody, Portuguese lyrics come in

***11-(4:27) – starts with jews harp (!); very cool sounds feel as if they are coming from everywhere like frogs on a dark night; back and forth major to minor modulation and back

*12-(3:24) – starts with fantastic clarinet solo with trills; notes bend with barely audible drone in background; rest of band kicks in;

*13-(2:33) – more traditional sounding tune with strong dance beat; pretty!

*14-(3:27) – bass horn starts; other instruments kick in – Arab Dance