BLACK OX ORKESTAR is the Montreal quartet who formed in 1999 to play European Jewish folk music.The band strikes a perfect balance between faithfulness to sources and extrapolation from contemporary influences, offering a challenge (both musically and lyrically) to modern Jewish political orthodoxies along the way. Evenly split between instrumentals and vocal tunes, this debut album is a hypnotic blend of pieces from various Eastern European songbooks as well as several original compositions. The record is of appeal to anyone who appreciates melancholy, minor key melodies and folk music unburdened by antiseptic production. Features JESSICA MOSS and THIERRY AMAR (A SILVER MT. ZION), GABE LEVINE (songwriter in SACKVILLE) and SCOTT LEVINE GILMORE.