►  Miami 30 – the Album and the Event. Under this title, the Miami Boys Choir headed by the legendary conductor, Yerachmiel Begun, set out celebrating their 30^th anniversary. As part of the celebrations the untiring choir have released a new album – “Miami Mashiach”, an album which includes new songs beside old songs which were performed at five different performances. The album was recorded at five different studios and was arranged partly by Begun himself. In addition to the Miami Boys, also Ohad, David Gabay and Michoel Shintzeler perform in the album. To the disc is attached a fancy album which includes pictures of the choir from the various performances. During Chol Hamoed Pesach, a great performance will take place at the Brooklyn College in New York, where, besides the choir, will perform also a Miami Boys alumni – Yisrael Williger and the “Acheinu”, too. There are expected to be surprises such as more alumni whose names have not yet been uncovered and also a video presentation of all the choir’s years of activity. During the performance, one of the precipitants will win a ticket to Israel. As part of the advertising campaign for the performance and for the album, a number of boys from the choir have visited at Nachum Segal’s popular radio program in the US, and exclusive Chasidinews sources inform that soon we are expected to hear part of the choir boys on one of the Jewish music programs in Israel, too, as part of the expected preparations towards a round of Miami Boys performances in Israel in the coming summer. Distribution: Greentec.

►  “Sim Shalom” – Chamisha Kolot Orchestra’s new album with Adi Ran and Srulik Hershtik has finally arrived at the stores. “Sim Shalom” is actually the Chasidic orchestra “Chamisha Kolot” ‘s debut album, whose members musically accompanied the two singers. The album includes almost a whole hour of music, and features five songs from the scriptures in new compositions, and two Chasidic medleys. As opposed to Ran’s Rock-‘n’-Roll style, the current album bears a totally Chasidic style. Three of the songs in the album were composed by Adi Ran, another song was composed by Hershtik and another was composed by the album’s producer, Shachar Blumenthal. For Hershtik these are his first recordings since his albums as wonder-boy of the worldwide cantillation. In addition, the movie “Chamisha Kolot” is attached to the album which is actually a ‘behind-the-scenes’ of the album in which we will watch Adi Ran’s clip, get to know the Chamisha Kolot Orchestra, watch pieces from the recordings in the studios and listen to Adi and Srulik  talking about the idea behind the album. Another of the album’s novelties is that all the songs are attached to the album also as MP3s. Distribution: Hindik Productions. Hindik Productions present to you as a gift the song ‘Od Yishama’. Click to download

►  “Bnei Heichala” – a new unique album, first in the series, which holds a collection of Holy Melodies – niguns of yearning and awakening from the temple of holy angels – the light of the seven days, the holy Ba’al Shem Tov and the holy ‘Bnei Heichala’, his holy disciples and followers. Even though this is ‘old wine in a new pitcher’, in a professional and up-to-date performance, the album’s producers have done their best to put a great emphasis on the originality of the niguns with no changes or additions. Among the niguns in the album: ‘Adir Hu’ from the holy Rabbi R’ Baruch of Mezbuz zt”l, ‘Bnei Heichla’ from the holy Rabbi R’ Moshe of Savran zt”l, ‘Omnam Ken’ from the holy Rabbi R’ Pinchas of Kuritz zt”l, ‘Nigun Hitorerut’ from the holy Rabbi the Light of the Seven Days the Ba’al Shem Tov zt”l, ‘Ya-h Echsof’ from the holy Rabbi R’ Moshe of Kabrin zt”l and others. Arrangements: David Margaliot. Vocal arrangements: David Kalish. Soloist: Yakov Elchanan Ekstein. Distribution: Greentec.

►  “Nishmat” – so is called Yehuda Green’s debut album. As you might remember, Yehuda Green, songwriter and composer has been in the music field for over a decade, and age 13 he was introduced to R’ Shlomo Carlebach z”l and since then was swept up in his personal and musical charm and has performed with him at a few performances in the United States. Two years after R’ Shlomo passed away, at a kumzitz which took place at R’ Shlomo’s succah, he performed “Vezocher”. The impressive performance amazed those present and especially Neshama Carlebach who asked him to take on the post of cantor and Ba’al Koreh in the central Carlebach shul in New York. The work on the album took over two years, while Avi Singolda, for the first time, participated in all the stages of the production and arrangements. Most of the lyrics and compositions are Yehuda’s and some of them are by R’ Moshe Shur, “Nigun Moshe” which was released as a single and a renewed version of ‘Shirat HaAsavim’ by Naomi Shemer, while in the second part of the album he sings some of the best of R’ Shlomo’s hits in exciting and touching performances and special arrangements. Distribution: Gal-Paz.

►  “Ein Od Milvado” – After long waiting, Shivi Keller’s new third album – “I Am a River Which Purifies All Stains” has finally landed on the stores’ shelves. The album features ten songs in Shivi’s special style. He composed the songs, of course, from various sources, starting with davening and Psalms (‘Hashivah Li’, ‘Even Ma’asu’) through R’ Shalom Shabazi (‘Har Sinai’), R’ Nachman of Breslov (‘Nitzachti VaAnatze’ach’) and till songs written by Shivi himself (‘Bnei Avraham’, ‘Shana Shel Shefa’). Arrangements and musical production: Moshe HaLevi. Furthermore, to the album is attached a gift – a prayer for Shmirat HaLashon by the ‘Chofetz Chaim’. Distribution: Hindik Productions. Click to listen to the song “Har Sinai” Click to listen to the song “Shana Shel Shefa”

►  Gilad Potolsky and the Shalhevet Orchestra are releasing a new double album “Shabbos Zmiros”. The pair of discs “Shabbos Zmiros” were produced in the atmosphere of a live performance, out of the need to commemorate the Shabbos Zmiros and Shabbos songs which we all love to sing, and especially the atmosphere which we feel again and again every Shabbos, when we sit around the table at home or at the Yeshiva, and sing. The album features 30 songs which have become a regular possession of the whole community and in it participates as guest soloist the boy Nadav Loverboim. “We didn’t want to renew, we wanted to excite. We wanted to present to you the Shabbos Zmiros in a calm pleasant and touching atmosphere. We wanted to pass on the songs which we grew upon, and if thanks to us you will sit on Shabbos a little longer and sing Zmiros – then it was worth the effort” – it is said in the orchestra. The album was arranged by Gilad Potolsky and was produced by Shimix. The package includes in addition to the two discs also an elegant set of Shabbos Zmiros. Distribution: Greentec.

►  Eli Mendelbaum Productions present “Mix 7” – another album in the series of the Chasidic Hits Machine. As in the previous albums, this album, too, presents nineteen tracks of the best of Chasidic hits, among them: Atid Hakadosh Baruch Hu, Arbah Midot BaAdam, Revach, Want Mashiach, BeZot HaSha’ah, Bo Yavoh, Neimat HaMendelbaum and others. The album was produced by A. Barok and was arranged by Eli Mendelbaum while the recordings for the album were done in Paris, France. Distribution: Gal-Paz. Click to purchase album

►  “Shabbos Tish in Belz” – a new musical project in two parts from the Belzer Chosids melodies – with the Ba’al Menagen R’ Yirmiyah Daman and also the Ga’on R’ Pinchas Friedman, R’ Yosef Tzvi Brier, R’ Yechiel Shlomo Kalish and R’ Eliyahu Eizenbach. The first part is called “Zmirot Leil Shabbat” which includes three albums which make up 35 songs and melodies of the best of the holy Shabbos night songs and niguns from the holy court of Belz. The second part is called “Zmirot Shabbat Kodesh” – which includes three discs which are divided into “Zmirot Yom Shabbat”, “Zmirot Se’uda Shlishit” and “Zmirot LeMotzei Shabbat” also from the best of songs and niguns for the holy Shabbos day from the holy court of Belz. Click to purchase album

►  After he promised us in his previous album that ‘It will be fine’ (Yihyeh Tov) – Rami Avivi now is releasing a new album – “Ani Teimani” (I Am a Yemenite) – in which participates the children choir ‘Pirchei Aviv’, too. The album features nine songs – most of which are poems written by R’ Shalom Shabazi in Yemenite folk compositions, ‘Emet Atah’ which was composed by Jacky Tuby and also two songs composed be Rami Avivi himself – ‘Ani Teimani’ and ‘Mabruk Aleicha’. Further in the album: Ani Hayom, Im Ninalu, Shalom Levo Shabbat, Sha’ar Asher Nisgar and others. Arrangements: Yossi Versano and Rami Avivi. A must album for all Yemenite music lovers. Distribution: Noam Productions. Click to purchase album

►  “Barcheinu” – that is the name of the new album of R’ Shmuel Brazil’s songs (“Regesh”) with Mendy Garufi, Efraim Mendelson, R’ Avish Baradat and of course R’ Shmuel Brazil. Among the ten songs of the album you will find among others: Shirah Chadasha, Tzur Yisrael, Eliyahu HaNavi, Ki Lyshuatcha, Hashem Oz and others. Distribution: Sameach Music.

►  “Six 13 – Encore” – that is the name of the Six 13 band’s new second album which is expected to be released towards the days of Sfirat HaOmer which are coming soon. In the album, as the best of the band’s tradition, you will find a selection of vocal songs, of course, four of which are original compositions of the band’s (‘Al HaNisim’, ‘Dror Yikra’, ‘Lo Yisah Goi’ and ‘Shalu’), a new song ‘Acheinu’ - which was composed by Yitzi Spinner (Miami Boys choir)  which is also performed by him, which will be included in Yitzi’s debut album which is expected to be released soon. Further in the album: Miami Boys medley, Aibe Rotenberg’s ‘Lev Tahor’, Carlebach’s ‘Krakov Nigun’ and others. “Reactions to the mixes so far are that we’re raising the bar in Jewish a cappella again” – Mike Boxer, member of the band, tells Chasidinews.

►  “Chavrusa” – a new album which features a collection of Dveikus songs at a special kumzitz with Iztik Shechter and a few other Yeshivishers. The album contains nine special Dveikus songs, including the hit ‘Acheinu’. Further in the album: Hishtadlu, Im Eshkachech, The Rebbe’s Nigun, Malchus Shomayim, Lechu Lamayim and others. Distribution: Hindik Productions.

►  R’ Moshe Goldman is working on two new albums. The first – Camp Shalva’s new album which is expected to be released IY”H towards the end of the summer arranged by Moshe Laufer, and the second – another album in the series of “Chagim Uzmanim” which is expected to be released towards Chanuka next year arranged by Chaim Yitzchak Goldman. The albums’ compositions are, of course, by R’ Moshe Goldman and a new choir called “The Goldman Studio Cappella” will also participate – “This is a qualitative choir, they sing good and with allot of expression” – so Chaim Yitzchak Goldman informs Chasidinews.

►  “Derech Chadasha” (Maybe this is what R’ Nachman meant) – a second single by Aharon Razel from a new album which will appear very soon. Lyrics and composition by Aharon Razel himself. “Maybe this is what R’ Nachman meant when he said that ‘I am walking on a new road where no man has ever walked before, and even though it is a very old road, even so it is completely new’.” Distribution: Pirsumei Nisa.

►  “Mishteh VeSimcha” – a new Purim album with the best of Purim melodies in special arrangements performed by Yisroel Werdyger, grandson of the famous cantor R’ David Werdyger and the nephew of MBD. The album was arranged and conducted by Moshe Yakov Pasten. Furthermore, the album features a new song on the words “VeAl HaNisim... Bimei Mordechai VeEster” composed by Binyamin Yehuda Stroli. The album is distributed in the Us by the Aderet Company, but in Israel – it probably won’t arrive this year – so Yisroel Werdyger informs Chasidinews. Click to listen to a mix from the album

►  Elad Sha’ar – the discovery of Sefardic Music. After “Yesh Levavot” and “Ata Li HaOhr” which earned much success, Elad Sha’ar wins the title of “The Discovery of the Year” for the year 2006, releases a third single “Rak Od Regah”, a song which bears the name of the debut album which will be coming out soon. The album combines various and different styles and the best of names in Sefardic Music are participating in it. Lyrics and melody: Shmuel Yonah (“Yitgadal VeYitkadash”, “Malachim”). Arrangements: Yaron Gutfried. Production: Meir Chajabi.

► “Chasidichance 2” sets out. As you may remember more than a year ago, Noam Chayat produced the first Chasidichance. One of the songs has starred at the Mitzad Chasidi on the Kol Chai radio channel and on other channels as well. The purpose of this project, as you might remember, is to give a dignified stage to anonymous talents: composers, singers, arrangers and lyricists and also those who have released a single and want a stage for advertising and marketing, all are welcome to contact Noam Chayat and if the committee made up of musicians from the front line, will approve of the piece, it will enter the next album, and will win much fame. Noam asked to call him about the project only after Pesach, since as you know he finished producing 2 new albums: one, a second dalbum for the Invei HaGefen Orchestra, and the second, a debut album for Roi Yadid – the orchestra’s soloist, and is right now busy distributing and marketing. Noam’s cellphone number is 972-52-2769385. Good luck...

►  “Ezkera Neginati” – a debut album for Michael Oved. The album features ten original songs – all composed by Michael Oved. Most of the lyrics are from the scriptures, except for ‘KsheHalev Meir’ which Michael Oved himself wrote “When the heart lights inside, everything suddenly falls into place, that this the gate to G-d, every flower every bird”. Furthermore, the song ‘Hashem Malach’ is dedicated to R’ Shlomo Carlebach zt”l and sure resembles his style. Among the songs in the album: Pitchu Li, Ki Besimcha, Hatov, HaMavdil and others. Distribution: Reut-Shir.

►  Chaim Dovid Eichler and his band are working on a second A.K.A Pella album, which is, as you may remember, a vocal album special for the days of Sefirat HaOmer which are coming very soon. This album is a gift album to all the most popular bands such as Lev Tahor and the Chevra and Shalshelet and the performances of the songs in the aka-pella are like you’ve never heard before! You’ll never believe it. All eight members of the group are excellent singers, two of which were once soloists for the Miami Boys and are using a Grammy Award winning vocal percussionist to create a sound which will cause you to pinch yourself to believe that you’re really and truly not listening to music!

►  Eitan Katz is working on a new album expected to be released IY”H towards the coming Lag BaOmer. The album which will be mostly ‘Unplugged’ – will include mostly unknown nigunim of R’ Shlomo Carlebach zt”l.

►  Yitzchak Rozenthal from the ‘Shalsheles’ is working on a special album for the “Shalsheles Junior” group – which will include 2 new songs, It will feature Two Brand new songs with a central Theme which will be released IY”H around the time of the coming Lag BaOmer. However, the older guys’ “Shalsheles 4” is expected to come out towards Chanuka of 5768...

►  The great Sefardic singers Emil Zerian and Yechiel Nahari are soon releasing 3 audio albums – video albums and a DVD, from a performance in which they both participated, which they made, distributed by Noam Productions.

►  Towards the last Purim, Roi Yedid together with the producer Noam Chayat put on a special performance to make the kids of Kav LaChaim happy in honor of the month of Adar and Purim. The keyboard artist Sharon Levi, who took part in a great part of the musical arrangements of Roi Yadid and Noam’s Invei HaGefen Orchestra (whose soloist is Roi)’s new discs, also took part in the performance. The performance took place in the “Torah Ohr-Stone” school in Jerusalem and there Roi sang some of his songs and other jewish gladdening songs in honor of the month of Adar and all this to make people happy and give from all his heart. It should be mentioned that B”H Roi and Noam have a great history in special performances such as this and others, and of course, the road is still long before them. “It gives us a chill just to see how we have merited with the help of G-d to bring a smile on the faces of these children. Such a great excitement doesn’t fill us even in the greatest performances before thousands...” say Roi and Noam.