Solomon Socalled Hip Hop Khasene (Piranha CD-PIR 1789) FOR those whose Yiddish is rusty, "khasene" is a wedding.

But this Hip Hop Khasene is not your average Jewish wedding. The young bride is Sophie Solomon, striking violinist of London's klezband Oi-Va-Voi, while the groom is Canadian sampling wizard Socalled (aka Josh Dolgin).

Celebrating the marriage are luminaries of the New York klezmer scene, trumpeter Frank London and clarinettist David Krakauer.

Vocalist Michael Alpert transforms the role of badkhn (wedding jester) into a Yiddish MC rapping on the mike. Glass smashing features several times, along with traditional tunes, while the music samples and beats push the party to its edges.

There's spectacular instrumental playing, moments of sentimentality and kitsch, swiftly kicked out by kick-ass klezmer and wit.

It actually sounds like a fun party to be at. You can be when the album gets its British premiere at the QEH on 6 July.

Simon Broughton