CHAVA ALBERSTEIN (w/The Klezmatics)

This collaboration teams The Klezmatics, the leading lights of the neo-Klezmer revival, with Chava Alberstein, who for three decades has been Israel's answer to Joan Baez. Together they draw upon the deep well of 20th-century Yiddish poets for inspiration. Produced by Ben Mink (K.D. Lang), the album sets Alberstein-penned melodies and vocals against the Klezmatics' signature neo-Klezmer, part traditional, part contemporary, all joy, passion and wit. The Klezmatics' own vocalist, Lorin Sklamberg, duets with Alberstein on several numbers. The result is an antidote to Mandy Patinkin's schmaltzy version of Yiddish pop, but more than that, it transcends its roots to create a fresh, authentic style of world-pop music that needs no translation. [ 10/4/98 ]

APOLLOFOURFORTY

While ApolloFourForty isn't likely to displace fellow Englanders Prodigy from the top of the electronica-pop heap on the basis of this American debut, they might have stumbled upon the perfect formula to bring electronica to the masses with "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Dub," the first single, which glues the guitar riff from Van Halen's "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" atop a funky drum 'n' bass groove. Other highlights from this eclectic effort, which includes cool ambient soundtracks and plenty of whooshing electronic blips, are "Krupa," a swinging tribute to the jazz drummer, "Tears of the Gods," which references Dr. John, and "White Man's Throat," which gives props to Miles Davis. If this sounds like ApolloFourForty are the US3 of electronica, you're on the right track. [ 9/14/97 ]

BEN ARNOLD

This singer-songwriter's major-label debut recalls a folkier version of Graham Parker, with a similar, angry-young-man sneer, sophisticated wordplay and folk- and R&B-influenced, melodic guitar-rock. Arnold peppers his arrangements with such retro touches as a Hammond B-3 organ, a Moog synthesizer, a clavinet and a Wurly electric piano. This is no neo-psychedelic trip, however _ Arnold is truly a singer-songwriter for the '90s.