ROIR's 2nd release from Raz Mesinai (a/k/a Badawi, a/k/a Bedouin) who is also one half of the Instinct and Asphodel band, Sub Dub. An Israeli born in Palestine, Raz is a master percussionist in the Middle Eastern tradition and a leading influence on the NYC "illbient" school of underground trip hop dubbers, along with DJ Spooky, WordSound I Powa, DJ Olive, Loop Lucy and Soulslinger. Press "It is apparent just how integral Badawi is to New York's illbient scene - swinging the dub pendulum from dark and disturbing to tongue-in-cheek zaniness. He teases and mystifies us in the same spirit of Lee 'Scratch' Perry." - Urb "A high-powered blend of Middle Eastern and Jamaican music (dub)." -New York Post "Raz Mesinai is a crucial member of New York's so-called illbient underground. This deep dub excursion is probably the most musical outing yet from anyone associated with that scene - intoxicating and combustible." Option "JERUSALEM UNDER FIRE" is a very strong sophomore release reflecting Badawi's consistent playing out (especially at the Cooler in NYC, where he is virtually in residence). A strong contender for the New Mad Professor? "(Badawi) is a man of many names, talents and sources of inspiration. Jerusalem Under Fire...combines traditional Middle Eastern rhythms and music with deep Jamaican dub to create an album as eclectic as the man himself. Although Badawi proves his ability as a producer, it's his percussion on such tracks as 'Alien Encounter' (where he plays tambourine) and 'Bedouin Interlude' (where he plays bendir and other drums) that shows him to be a musical master and force to be reckoned with." - Rhythm Music "Badawi's Jerusalem Under Fire puts Middle Eastern music, dancehall and dub together as if they'd never been apart...melt(s) cultural separation like butter in the sun - no wonder those giant fruit flies are coming back...makes you wonder if Sub Dub's Raz Mesinai (the said Badawi) shouldn't be put to work melting borders in the Middle East itself." - Reggae Update