BEST MUSIC POLL
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NATIONAL
Best World-Music Act in National
Balkan Beat Box
Who knew that 11/8 Balkan dance rhythms would become a rock-club sensation? The Israeli–New York BBB spun off in part from Gogol Bordello, and they inspire the same kind of crazed, sweaty-club response. In a way, they’re a musical cousin of local dub-jam heroes Club d’Elf — klezmer division. So in the midst of all that dub, you can expect an electric-guitarist playing Arabic scales, bebop-inspired sax riffs, fair doses of hip-hop and dancehall, folkloric clap-along ritual-chant backing tracks, and Gnawan percussion breakdowns. Whatever you want to call their fusion, it’s working. Their March show at the Paradise surely helped propel them to the top of this year’s voting, and the new Blue Eyed Black Boy (Crammed Disc) will probably do the same next year.
Runners-up
2. Angélique Kidjo
3. King Sunny Ade
4. The Very Best
by JON GARELICK
Balkan Beat Box
Balkan Beat Box is a world music group Original form New York duo consisting of ex-Gogol Bordello member Ori Kaplan and Tamir Muskat of Firewater...
