Recent albums from M.I.A., Antibalas, Nickodemus, Gotan Project and Suphala opened the music scene up to fusions of modern production and genuine folk sounds. Add to that list Balkan Beat Box who blends sounds and rhythms from the Middle East, North Africa, the Balkans and Eastern Europe with modern beats. Formed by two Israeli musicians, producer/drummer Tamir Muskat (J.U.F, Firewater) and Ori Kaplan, a former member of gypsy-punk band Gogol Bordello, Balkan Beat Box's music isn't meant to be merely listened to, it is a sound collage that needs to be experienced.

The frenetic mix on their self-titled debut album ranges from dub, electronic, Balkan and klezmer to hip-hop and punk. Adds Ori Kaplan, "[This is] music that comes from a deep authentic necessity to connect ... Arabs and Jews, Palestinians and Israeli, Slavic and N. Africans. We all live on the same street in Israel and NYC is in many ways the same." Call it culture clash or harmonic convergence, their vision is on full display with charged songs like the percussive brass sounds of "Bulgarian Chicks," the hypnotic-dubby "Cha Cha" and "Adir Adirim" which is based on a memorable Middle Eastern guitar riff. A raw energy brings together the diverse sounds of the collective, a line-up that includes an Israeli MC, a trombonist, dancers and a VJ.