CD Reviews

Subliminal and The Shadow
The Light and The Shadow
2002 Helicon Records
http://www.subliminal.2ya.com/

Kobi "Subliminal" Shimoni's second album continues to mix heavy beats and heavy attitudes developing a solid sound of his own.

Like his previous album, the Arab-Jewish conflict is a frequent topic and the word Zionist is used frequently in interviews. It currently has singles in Galei Tzahal Radio's top ten.

Also returning is the raspy voiced HaTzhal, or The Shadow. He is on every track, alternating versus with his more plain spoken partner. Only a couple of tracks contain English. Non Stop is a light ode to rap music and the bouncy Bounce is supposed to be the hit single.

The CD opens with Banu Choshech Legaresh, an old Israeli song but with lyrics of today's conflict. The beat and bass is heavy and the chorus sounds like an ominous chant topped off by wailings. Other songs also rework familiar Israeli tunes.

Most of the CD sounds like traditional R&B laden hip-hop in the vein of Tupac Shakur. Street Child is sad with sound effects of gun shots and screams and ending with powerful trumpets. Other standouts are Hope and the last track, The Light and the Shadow which has a DMX style rhyme scheme, with each verse beginning with the word "the".

Another standout track that is gaining attention is Divide and Conquer.

"They are persecuting me, my enemies are united, they want to destroy me, we are nurturing and arming the enemies ... together we will survive, alone we will fall."

The cover art of a muddy fist clenching a star of David necklace is brought to life with both in both the lyrics and the feel of the music.

There is no hidden English or French track at the end of this CD, however inserting it in a computer will open a custom-made player complete with track listings. This album as well and A Light from Zion, the first album, can be purchased online at http://www.israel-music.com.