"A Redele" CD Release Party- Jake Shulman-Ment

"A Redele" CD Release Party
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
7pm
@ The Museum at Eldridge Street
12 Eldridge Street, NYC, NY
$15 adults/$12 students and seniors

Brooklyn-based violinist Jake Shulman-Ment is among the leaders of a new
generation of Klezmer and Eastern European folk music performers. On his
debut solo recording, A Redele (A Wheel), he leads an all-star band
presenting ecstatic, soulful original compositions and improvisations as
well as old Jewish and Gypsy songs and melodies, inspired by his extensive
travels in Romania and Hungary, as well as his deep roots in New York Jewish
music. Join us in celebration of the release of this exciting new album of
Yiddish music!

With:

Jake Shulman-Ment - violin, vocals
Benjy Fox-Rosen - bass, vocals
Ben Holmes - trumpet
Art Bailey - accordion
Pete Rushefsky - tsimbl

Make reservations for the concert at www.eldridgestreet.org

For sound samples and to order the CD today, visit:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jakeshulmanment

Klezmer Podcast 54- Watcha Clan In Los Angeles

Klezmer Podcast 54- Video podcast with Watcha Clan. This marks the first video podcast for the show. My guests are the members of Watcha Clan, who performed in Los Angeles on 17 July, 2009 on their North America tour.
Run time: 25:18.

Klezmer Podcast 53- Balkan Beat Box

I have posted Klezmer Podcast 53 featuring Balkan Beat Box. Available on iTunes, http://klezmerpodcast.com and on Blubrry

Oye Cuba! A Journey Home Preview Reel

OK, slightly off topic. But, Arturo O'Farrill is one of my favorite band leaders. His music is great and full of meaning. Please watch this video.

Review: The Yiddish Part

The Yiddish Part
Anakronic Electro Orkestra


I have been following Anakronic Electro Orkestra for about a year now, and have been anticipating the release of their first album, The Yiddish Part. Based in Toulouse, France, this quartet of Klezmer musicians has found a way to bring Klezmer music into the world of electro beats and samples. I have been impressed with many of the Klezmer bands in Europe today, and I think that AEO is among the best out there today. The arrangements are all by the band’s leader, Mikael Charry, who put together this jigsaw puzzle of sounds and created some great music.

The Yiddish Part is a short album, containing only five tracks, but it is clear that they have focused a lot of energy on this project and I hope that there will be more tracks ready for release soon.

Zibn opens the album with a high-energy rhythmic melody by the Clarinet, accompanied by driving percussion, Accordion, and cool electronic sounds. After a Drum break, it switches to more of a reggae beat with the Keyboard taking over the melody.

Terk In America is full of percussion and electronics, backing up the familiar melody in the Clarinet. I have to give AEO kudos for this arrangement. I like the very traditional Klezmer Clarinet sound mixed with the fast-paced electronics, steady drums, and smooth Accordion pads. I have not heard the song done this way before, and I’m sure they will be recognized for it.

Why Is It Funny? Is my favorite track on the album. I think it showcases the essence of what AEO is all about. The Clarinet melody is traditional Klezmer, but the electronic sounds are innovative, and the drums are more of a hard-hitting rock style. A horn section of Trumpet, Trombone, and Sax make a guest appearance as well. I must point out the Accordion work here, also of a traditional nature, is prominently featured along with the Clarinet. I keep coming back to this song and am excited when it pops up on my playlist.

Speak With Ghosts mixes sampled vocals with the music. It moves to a short interlude with the Clarinet in the low register, then suddenly changes to a fast tempo with the Clarinet taking off with the Accordion over the pulsing electronics and Percussion. There is a cool Clarinet/Accordion vibe here that blends well with the rest of the band’s sounds.

Free Klarinet Screamin’ In My Head is AEO’s take on a Doina. This is a Clarinet feature that makes liberal use of sampling and overdubs to make the instrument sound like one of the electronic machine sounds. It’s definitely not a tune that you can sing along with, but it shows what the band can do when they twist the music around in a way that pushes the envelope just a bit as they blur the line between acoustic and electronic. The Clarinet is no longer just an instrument, but a new bank of sound samples that the band has to work with. It took a while for me to catch on to this, but now I get it.

The audio quality is quite good. The electronic machines are not overpowering, and the Drums on Zibn are clean, with good detail on the Cymbals. The Clarinet and Accordion blend well together. The album sounded full and lively on my home theater system and on my car system, but lost some of the punch on my laptop computer’s speakers. Kudos to engineers Manu Cabrol, Ludovic T. Kierasinski, Lionel Nicod, and Benjamin Joubert.

The CD package I received was a sleeve with the wonderful artwork and logo on the front and the track list/credits on the back.

Anakronic Electro Orkestra are well on their way to earning wider recognition for their unique style and recognizable sound. They’ve made a great start and I wish them much success. Give their music a listen and see for yourself.

Keith Wolzinger
Klezmer Podcast

The Yiddish Part
Anakronic Electro Orkestra
JuMu
2008

Band Members:
Mikael Charry / Machines
Ludovic T. Kierasinski / Basse
Corinne Dubarry / Accordeon
Pierre Bertaud du Chazaud / Clarinette


Track List:
1. Zibn 4:02
2. Terk In America 3:57
3. Why Is It Funny? 4:05
4. Speak With Ghosts 4:37
5. Free Klarinet Screamin' My Head 2:36

Links:
Anakronic Electro Orkestra
MySpace
JuMu
Amazon

New Event- Berkeley, CA June 4, 2009

Thursday, June 4
Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo, Berkeley CA
Klezmer Céilidh
THE MAD MAGGIES and GO VAN GOGH
Doors at 8:00 p.m.; Show at 8:30 p.m.
$7

A Céilidh (pronounced kay-lee) is a traditional Gaelic dance party, from the days before discos and nightclubs. But the 2 bands tonight are anything BUT traditional, merging Klezmer, Ska, Celtic music and much more into their own unique, high-energy styles.

The Mad Maggies are some crazy musicians from the San Francisco Bay Area who play world-inspired, roots-driven rowdy folk fusion. Tonight’s show follows up on the recent release of their 3rd CD, “Skull and Magpies.” The Mad Maggies are Maggie Martin on vocals and accordion, clarinetist and whistle blower Rhian Robinson, tuba player Johnny Blood, alto saxophonist Adrian Gormley, trombonist Lawrence Jarach, J.X. Lovejones on tenor sax and clarinet, drummer Billy Dee Boom, bassist Lewis Wallace, and guitarist Gary Wium.
www.themadmaggies.com

Bay Area klezmer band Go Van Gogh also doesn’t fit the usual categories. As the members explain, they’re “not your bubbe and zadie’s klezmer band. Call it country music, but we’re not sure what country. Music for a Middle Eastern Western, Balkan surf ska, with a Western Swing Ethiopian twist. Whatever you call it, we play it, and you can dance to it.”

The band’s roots trace back 15 years to a duo formed by Connie and Jesse Walkershaw for their original songs, with various band accompaniments. Eventually the lineup became Go Van Gogh, currently with Connie Walkershaw on soprano and alto saxophone, Michelle Walther on violin, Brad Bechtel on lap steel, Alex Roitman on accordion, Sam Tsitrin on guitar, Jesse Walkershaw on bass, and Kelvin Burton on drums. In concert Go Van Gogh’s repertoire includes original tunes, a century-old klezmer song written by a great-grandfather, and klezmer standards including “The Odessa Bulgar,” “Fun Der Khupe,” and “Be Happy Jews.”
www.govangogh.net

Review: Song Of Songs

Song Of Songs
Inbar Bakal

Inbar Bakal has made a great first impression with the release of her debut album Song Of Songs (Shir Ha Shirim). Though not yet a household name, the Israeli-American singer brings a welcome freshness to the World Music scene. She has a smooth vocal quality that is ethereal and immediately recognizable. The source material for the album comes from ancient Hebrew biblical texts, yet Bakal reaches back through her Yemenite/Iraqi roots to create a fusion of Middle Eastern textures and American contemporary Electronica. The result is a remarkable listening experience that allows for a deep connection to the music.

This rich musical soundscape results from the collaboration between Bakal and visionary Producer/Arranger Carmen Rizzo, who masterfully combines the Middle Eastern instruments Tabla, Oud, Bouzouki, and Saz with Keyboard, Synth, and Percussion elements. The music is consistent throughout the album, giving the feeling that these songs really are a collection and belong together.

The songs do vary in rhythmic texture. Hallelujah is an expressive piece in 12/8 time, while my favorite track, The Bride, seems to be in ¾ time but with a 10-bar phrase. To me this is the most Middle Eastern sounding piece on the album.

The songs are mostly in Hebrew, with The Bride sung in Yemenite and English. The vocals are set back a bit in the mix and blend well with the other instruments, never overpowering. There are occasional moments of extra processing such as delay effects on Hallelujah and long tail reverb on Meditation. These are effective, though, and add to the emotional impact of these songs.

I must mention the outstanding musicianship of the players on this album. Dimitry Machlis is amazing on Oud, Bouzouki, and Saz. His musical contributions help to set the tone for the album. He lays down some very nice accompaniments and fills, perfectly complementing the vocals. He gets plenty of space to solo as well, and I enjoy every one of those moments. Satnam Singh Ramgotra is a masterful Tabla artist, adding to the Eastern feel and texture of the album.

The audio quality is excellent. I like the way it is mixed in a contemporary World Pop style, making it easy on the ears and appealing to a wide audience. Kudos to producer Carmen Rizzo. I could not find engineering/mastering credits, but kudos to these artists also.

The promo CD I received is a simple package consisting of a sleeve with song titles, credits, and photos. No insert or liner notes, but you can check Bakal’s website for more details.

The album is short, containing six songs, but they are all high quality songs. Bakal did not feel a need to include more songs just to make a full album. I like this approach because it shows that Bakal is more interested in the quality of her music than the quantity. And with the resulting lower purchase price, there is certainly no barrier to obtaining the album either on CD or via download.

I am very impressed with Song Of Songs. Bakal and Rizzo have done a remarkable job of bringing this music to a Western audience. This is an adventure in listening, and as I allowed myself to be transported to another time and place, I am mindful of the beauty of the music and the emotional depth of the underlying context. I don’t know what turn Bakal’s music will take next, but rest assured, it will be something you won’t want to miss.

Keith Wolzinger
Klezmer Podcast
You can hear my interview with Inbar Bakal on Klezmer Podcast 48.

Song Of Songs
Inbar Bakal
2009
Electrofone Records


Band Members:
Inbar Bakal- Vocals
Jaime Muhoberac- Keyboards
Santam Singh Ramgotra- Tablas
Dimitry Machlis- Oud, Bouzouki, Saz
Carmen Rizzo- Programming, Drum, Keyboards


Track List:
1 The Battle of Jerusalem
2 Song of Ascendance
3 The Bride
4 Song of Songs
5 Hallelujah
6 Meditation

Links:
Inbar Bakal
MySpace
CD Baby