Aaron Alexander: “Midrash Mish Mosh” (Tzadik)
A first CD for long-time veteran drummer of the Radical Jewish Culture scene who has played with Hasidic New Wave, the Klezmatics and many others. Pounding free-bop with swirling klemzerish lines, this is definitely not your grandpa’s bar mitzvah band. Alexander sounds like Barry Altschul on crystal meth, a dervish on wood blocks and crash cymbals. There are also some straight-ahead klezmer burners but if you don’t like “energy” jazz, stay away.
Rating: YYYY (out of 5)