This is my second Kleztet CD, and I confess, I am now HOOKED on this group!  Their energy, rhythms, and wonderful harmonies are wonderful, it's some of the happiest and most uplifting music I've ever heard.  It's a good thing Winter is coming, because my neighbors are probably getting tired of hearing it through my open windows!
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I very much enjoyed this cd. I have a bunch of different recordings of Ma Navu. I used to dance to it in music camp many long years ago when I was a kid. The recording I heard back then was a much faster tempo and had a woman singing. It seems that every recording I've come across is very different from what I heard back then. I'm not complaining. It's just that it has to be a fast tempo to make me want to dance. I still remember the dance steps. It was such a special time of my life and I wish I could find THAT recording but alas I have searched in vain. Maybe one of these days I'll record it myself. Ha (!)
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Here’s another group vying for the title of most-committed klezmer revival act.  Based in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, this quartet had been silent on the recording scene since 2002, but have come roaring back with an impassioned set that includes inspired versions of Hebrew and Yiddish material, including “Ma Navu,” “Hine Ma Tov,” and “My Yiddishe Mame.”  But they also let their jazzy roots show a little on such originals as “Bassist on the Roof.”  And it’s awfully hard to resist “Where There’s a Will, There’s a Waltz.”  Beyond the occasional traditional prayer, the Kleztet has given us good, old-fashioned party music.  And that calls for celebration.
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While not as rock oriented or obviously avant garde as The Klezmatics or The New Orleans Klezmer All Stars, The Alexandria Kleztet are expanding the concept of what a klezmer band can be.  Thus, their third CD is appropriately titled Close Enough for Klezmer.
	For example, this CD includes tunes not normally associated with klezmer bands, such as the Jewish folk song “Hine Ma Tov” (this was always a favorite at family gatherings) and two pieces from Israeli songwriter Naomi Shemer:  “Chorshat Ha’Ekaliptus” and “Y’rushalayim shel Zahav (Jerusalem of Gold).”  But what definitely separates this clever band from the pack of klezmer outfits is the strong jazz influence.  For example, on several original compositions, band leader Seth Kibel blows his heart out with hot clarinet and saxophone riffs.  In fact, there’s a fair amount of jazz-like improvisations from Kibel and his colleagues on violin and electric bass on several cuts here.
	Other colors also bring fascinating shades to The Alexandria Kleztet’s music.  For example, “Klezmer Nova,” an original composition by Kibel, has a relaxed, samba-like rhythm.  “Bassist on the Roof,” a piece composed by bassist Scott Harlan, has a lively flamenco feel, emphasized by some deft finger work from Harlan, here doubling on electric guitar.
	Violin and clarinet harmonize well throughout this recording.
	The Alexandria Kleztet may not be international stars yet, but under the dynamic leadership of Mr. Kibel they will definitely get there. -- KR
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