Balkan Beat Box lead members include Tamir Muskat and Ori Kaplan along with a Multiethnic group of musicians Tomer Yosef, Itamar Ziegler, Uri Kinrot (Who I had the fortune to see Jan. 2006 at the Mercury Lounge with an amazing Klezmer band, Boom Pam), Ben Handler, Jeremiah Lockwood, Eyal Talmudi and Peter Hess. Balkan Beat Box also collaborate with a long list of musicians from Bulgaria, Morocco, Spain, Israel, and Palestine. Balkan Beat Box’s diverse membership make for a vast array of classical music styles mixed with dub and electronic . Their high energy, carnival sound played Ottawa Bluesfest Friday July 11th at 7:00 pm on the Bank of America Stage right before heading on their European Tour.
The crowd was mixed. True, strong lovers of the eclectic sound of Balkan Beat Box and early birds wanting a good seat for the 9pm show of Canadian favorites, Great Big Sea. Either way the Balkan Beat Box fans took over!
The front of the crowd was dancing, waving and singing with every song. While the seated folk clapped along in glee!
My favorite parts of the Balkan Beat Box show was their recorded hit songs from their album NU MED from JDUB Records, remixed to high energy dance style mixes. Tomer Yosef (MC, percussion, vocals and sampler) was on fire! Leaping from bass bin speakers, dancing with the crowd playing percussions and mixing live. It was unbelievable! I was not expecting such an innovative performance with a highly cultural sound.
Secondary highlight was meeting the band and having them sign my album! Sweet!!!
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