David Broza has a unique role in the Israeli music scene. He’s a bestselling singer-songwriter, guitarist and peace activist who has acquired an impressive array of musical admirers, several of whom appear on this new compilation. He sings in English, Hebrew and Spanish, adds flamenco guitar work to songs that are easygoing and melodic, and mix Middle Eastern influences with country and acoustic pop. It’s a relaxed set with a brave message of reconciliation. The best songs include East Jerusalem West Jerusalem (“Shalom, Salam”) co-written with Wyclef Jean from an album produced by Steve Earle, and a duet with Arab Israeli singer Mira Awad on Ramallah-Tel Aviv. There’s his setting for an unpublished poem by the great Townes Van Zandt and a live finale of his anthem Yihye Tov, on which he is joined by Shawn Colvin and Jackson Browne for a singalong worthy of Pete Seeger.
