Composer and lyricist Basya Schlecter joins forces with Shaul Magid, creatively intertwining Appalachian music with Jewish Friday night prayer, for the organic and beautifully moving Folk and World album Kabbalachia.
Built around a clear sense of rhythmic unity and melodic optimism, Shiru guides us into this project with minimalism and precision combined – a fireside groove and a chorus of voices united under the goal of entertaining and uplifting audiences. It’s a bright introduction, and it paves the way well for the eclectic instrumentals and performances of Kabbalachia.
Traditional Folk intimacy, melodies and stories, meet with soulful vocals and uniquely varied instrumentation, as the album continues on its journey. Mizmor l”dovid is familiar and comforting but instantly different from the opener, presenting a new pattern of musicianship and a heartfelt, evocative long-form tune that naturally connects.
A timeless pleasure to experience in full, the Kabbalchia collection is an easy choice in terms of lifting the mood and providing the positivity and simple melodic calm of music that stands the test of time. The songs are well arranged, gorgeously performed, and offer enough versatility between tracks to maintain your affection and understanding of these varying moods and stories.
Consider the mellow strings and harmonised instruments of Ana B’khoach, or the sudden country knees-up energy and embrace of Lecha Dodi 1 and 2. These moments are highlights for their inclusive and celebratory boldness. There’s also a fluidity to the changes now, a progression that carries its audience along with care and consciousness.
Mizmor Shir and Raza mellow things out for a pure and acoustic folk sentiment that draws you in closer and again ignites that sort of fireside community calm and contentment. Then Ma’ariv softly raises the pulse again for a knees up moment of brightness, before the contemplative and traditional tones of Yedid Nefesh lead with melodic prowess and expressive vocals.
For an unplugged and largely traditional Folk and Prayer-based project, the eclecticism found throughout Kabbalachia is incredibly impressive. The project engages a number of emotions, and in the process provides an easy to enjoy album loaded with catchy melodies and skilful musical outpourings. The closing track Shalom Aleichem marks a deeply moving and thoughtful finish, and adds one last dose of that same versatility yet well-rooted purpose and genre to the wonder of this release.
Vis the Basya Schelchter Website for more information.
