On the cutting edge of new Jewish music are recent recordings
by Steven Bernstein, Paul Brody, Aaron Alexander and Basya Schechter,
all on John Zorn's Tzadik label.
Aaron Alexander's "Midrash Mish Mosh" promises what the title
delivers. It's a wild affair led by the drummer/composer Alexander,
featuring his bandmates from Hasidic New Wave plus others from the klezmer
and downtown scenes, including clarinetist Merlin Shepherd from Sukke
and trombonist Curtis Hasselbring from Golem. Alexander's recording
boasts a wide palette, a broad, pan-cultural reach connecting thrash-punk
to Hasidic dance, and funny, evocative song titles, including "Kleyzmish
Moshpit," "Yiddishe Kop," and "Khosidl for the Mixed
Marriage."