Tomer Yeshayahu is an Israeli producer, singer-songwriter, and bouzouki player. He claims to be “one of the most unique artists in the current Israeli music landscape” and his “music absorbs influence from many different genres and he combines them into a new-age middle eastern blend”. While my current experience in this space is limited, Manuella seems to meet the description.
‘Amalya’ is a beautiful instrumental track that opens the album with a Middle Eastern inspired flamenco sound, and superb rhythm and leads. This is followed up with ‘Emmanuelle’, another comforting song that is accentuated by occasional soft and dreamy humming along with tasty synth lines that are sprinkled about.
The third track is ‘Elkab Yurani’, which features guest vocals by the electro-Arab singer and musician Magi Hikri. Magi describers her music as a “genre-defying electronically infused cocktail of Middle Eastern grooves and beat”, and this sort of style was brought to the table here. ‘Elkab Yurani’ is a track that reminds me of some of the 60s/70s pop from the region and I even feel a hint of the city pop scene from 70s/80s Japan.
Another guest vocalist appears on the fifth track, ‘O Mar Fica o Mar’, that being Tula Ben Ari. Tula was born in Israel to a half Yemenite, half Polish family and moved to Barcelona at the age of 21 where she soon became heavily involved in the music scene. This Spanish influence is felt in this track, which continues to add to the sonic diversity of Manuella.
This brings me to a point of why this album is so great. There is a wide variety of styles and sounds to be heard here, but they all seem to fit. This is not like a progressive album where you are bombarded with different sounds for the sake of it, rather everything here is blended well and contains a thread of consistency throughout.
As Manuella progresses we continue to get more of the same: strong guest performances, peaceful and charming music, and ultimately a world class album. If you are looking for something “different”, that is outside the top 40 and standard radio fare, Tomer Yeshayahu’s Manuella is one of the first pieces you should check out.
Favourite Tracks: Amalya, Emmanuelle, O Mar Fica o Mar, Nous avons trouvé l’étoile, Good Morning
Genre: #IndieFolk, #IndieRock, #Psychedelic
Release Date: January 15, 2020