It is rare to find a CD of Jewish music which successfully includes some of the very disparate Jewish roots music and yet retains a distinct and unified sound. Through the vehicle of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights (an 8 day festival which usually coincides with the Christmas period) Erran Baron Cohen acheives this by representing several diverse Jewish music strands fused with modern contemporary music styles from Gypsy and Dub Reggae to hip-hop and even folk-rock. He has also been lucky enough to collaboate with some of the best Jewish music performers around!

Tracks such as Hanukkah oh Hanukkah and Dreidle are based on songs that originated from Eastern Europe - a branch of Jewish music often classified as Yiddish or Klezmer music. While he has kept some of the Yiddish lyrics, Baron Cohen is appealing to a wide audience that doesnt necessarily appreciate "foreign" languages, so some of the lyrics are in English, which might dissappoint more hard-core World Music and Jewish Music fans. Y-Love, The African American, Hassidic (ultra-Orthodox), New York based rap artist, raps both in Yiddish and English on Hanukkah oh Hanukkah, one of the old Yiddish songs that has been craftily updated. The track still pays homage to its Eastern European Jewish roots through the snippets of Klezmer, provided by UK-based clarinettist and Klezmer ambassador, Merlin Shepherd.

The Spanish / Meditteranean Jewish folk music style known as Sephardi or Ladino music is beautifully presented through the stunning voice of Israeli vocalist Yasmin Levy. Her approach to Ocho Kandelikas (8 candles), a song written by Balkan Sephardi Songstress Flory Jagody, is both moody and sensous and is complimented by Baron Cohen's musical references to Spanish Flamenco and Argentinian Tango group Gotan Project.

The more religious side of Jewish music is represented in Dana Kerstein's rendition of Maoz Tsur. She turns this popular Hebrew Hanukkah song, typically sung by Jewish children in Cheder (Jewish Sunday School), into a powerful anthem with her strong, husky voice matched by a bluesy organ accompaniment. Incidentally the tune is identical to the well known Christian hymn Rock of Ages, a version of which also appears on this CD performed by an equally powerful singer, Jules Brookes.

While Jewish music fans may either relish or detest the updated versions of popular folk tunes from each of these diverse Jewish traditions, it is the original material that intrigues and catches the ear. Tracks such as A La Luz de La Vela performed by Yasmin Levy, stands out as a great modern Morld Music track, written in Spanish rather than Ladino, with muted Jazz trumpet by Baron Cohen himself.

Another original song is the Hebrew duet Relics of Love and Light performed by well known Israeli artist Idan Raichel together with UK based Israeli singer Avivit Caspi. Written by Raichel together with Baron Cohen, this track has a typical Raichel feel with fat, warm vocals and a distinctly Middle Eastern and Israeli "Pop" feel provided by instruments such as the Ney Flute and the Mizmar, an Egyptian reed wind instrument.

Songs in the Key of Hanukkah is a sensitively produced and carefully thought through project which makes an excellent alternative to all the weary Christmas pulp music that clog up the airwaves in the early winter months and is guaranteed to spread some Hanukkah light throughout the year.