karolina
Karolina at Barby Tel Aviv
By Jordan at The Zion ListWhen I arrived in Israel, I was determined to find really, really good music. Of course, Omer Adam’s voice is heard throughout the country at all times of day. He’s earned his place as a pop icon, but I was looking for something deeper. Old or new didn’t matter. It had to be raw, bold, funky, and full of soul.
It took a little while, but eventually I discovered some real gems like Boom Pam, Avihu Pinhasov and a few more I’ll feature here soon.
But at the top of that list is Karolina.
While she may not be on the tongue of every Israeli, Karolina is a cultural icon in her own right. To me, she is Israel’s answer to Amy Winehouse. Both artists found their neo-soul funk stride in the late aughts, bringing ’70s retro grooves to a wider audience in their own corners of the world.
And much like the late Winehouse, Karolina packages her gorgeous vocals and poetry in wild, layered arrangements alongside some of the best session musicians in the business. Of note are her frequent collaborations with Boom Pam’s Uri Kinrot, who produced Zohar in 2013.
Zohar is the one album that will get you 100% addicted to Karolina. It’s chock-full of crunchy retro grooves, Middle Eastern rhythms, soaring prog-rock guitar lines, and folksy Mediterranean dreaminess.
There are meaty hooks, weird synthesizer lines, and lush orchestral arrangements throughout, especially on her cover of “Tzel Etz Tamar.” This particular song was a massive hit in Israel, so much so that it's my 92-year-old physical therapy patient's ringtone.
For me, the standout track is “Mul HaYam.” With its heavily synthed opening guitar riff and bouncy bass line, the song has a fantastical escapism that matches the lyrics. It’s about disappearing to the seaside where no one knows you, and I blare it, windows down, every time I drive to the Israeli coast.
Another notable mention is her cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog.” Boom Pam backs her with their quirky, tuba-driven Balkan funk groove.
Aside from having an amazing honey-smooth soul voice, Karolina has a style all her own that totally matches her retro sound. From her Jewfro to her flowy psychedelic dresses circa late-60s Janis Joplin, everything about her syncs with the music.
Put on Zohar and give it a few tracks. It’s funky, weird, soulful, and packed with the kind of songs that will make you want to turn it way, way up. Karolina truly is the ultimate Israeli soul diva.
At a Glance
Who: Karolina
Where: Israel
Why It’s On The List: For an itch only funky ’70s soul can scratch.
Listen: Spotify
Find Them: Instagram
All images courtesy Instagram @karolinamusica 
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