Nat Geo

While every album desires to outdo the last, there is no question that with its third album, the Brooklyn-based, Israeli-born Balkan Beat Box has created something far beyond anything that the three core members have previously attempted. Originally concocted by Ori Kaplan and Tamir Muskat, and later to include emcee Tomer Yosef, the trio wanted to create a hip-hop and funk-friendly Balkan sound. It succeeded beautifully on previous albums, but on Blue Eyed Black Boy, the band has evolved onto an entirely different plane. Cumbia amid a flurry of hip-hop beats underscores a thoughtful and progressive lyricism, resulting in an intricate texturing of danceable brass and soulful bass grooves. Most surprising (and pleasing) is Yosef’s maturing voice as a songwriter; he’s always been poignant, but here he’s entered a brave new domain of influence.