Download | Zshare: www.zshare.net/download/73760368dbdc1dd4
Download | MediaFire: www.mediafire.com/?hiyglyzoj1x

For All Info, Contest Rules, Itinerary & Prizes, CLICK HERE
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Pick up your copy of Kosha Dillz’s "Beverly Dillz" album!
"an uptempo, synthesized introduction to a spiritual fast life of the Hollywood underground via Garden State perspective, sprinkled with a touch of unorthodox "kosher" heritage and culture." CLICK TO BUY NOW

DeScribe Harmony (3/16), Brody Ad Matai (5/2), Electro Morocco Low Ride EP, Y-Love Unity EP, & Levi Mordechai
* to pick up all other CDs on Shemspeed Direct,
please click the “store” icon in the top menu

A Few Such Showcases:
March.17 - Lyricist Lounge Showcase @ Independent (9:15-9:35pm)
March.18 - Nail Distro Showcase @ Side Bar (3- 3:40pm)
March.19 - Hip Hop Howl @ Red Fez with Bridget Lyons, Pig Pen and Pat Maine and Flex Mathews
(3-3:30pm)

FOR ALL INFO, CHECK http://shemspeed.com
or RVSP on Facebook

p.s. We are at #9, help us get to #1 and Vote Vote Vote for Electro Morocco’s remix of Matisyahu. IT’S THE BEST ONE!!!
VOTE HERE - http://bit.ly/matiselect

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN / VOTE / DOWNLOAD THEM!

p.s. If you are around NY next week and want cheap tickets for the March 16th - An Evening with MATISYAHU: In Performance and In Conversation with Thane Rosenbaum @ The 92Y, see below.

SPECIAL OFFER! $19 TICKETS (regularly $35)
Tue, Mar 16, 8 pm
USE CODE MATY WHEN ORDERING
CLICK HERE

Click here to Listen. / Click here to Download.

Think you got what it takes?
Enter to make your own and win the contest by, clicking here.

p.s. If you are around NY next week and want cheap tickets for the March 16th - An Evening with MATISYAHU: In Performance and In Conversation with Thane Rosenbaum @ The 92Y, see below.

SPECIAL OFFER! $19 TICKETS (regularly $35)
Tue, Mar 16, 8 pm
USE CODE MATY WHEN ORDERING
CLICK HERE

J Brazil lived a nomadic, homeless life, using any cash he had to record music and fuel his career. At age 21, the New York native released his first album, but record labels weren’t biting. Then, in 2009, J Brazil teamed up with producer Eric Sanicola and wrote ‘Girl I’m Tryin,’ the hit song that ultimately landed him a recording contract with Ultra Records.

Marrying his Middle Eastern and Hasidic musical influences with the sounds he soaked up on the streets, J Brazil has put a new twist on Cindy Lauper’s classic pop song, ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.’ The melody is kept in tact, but J Brazil alters the lyrics to come from the perspective of a non-committal guy, looking to have a good time. As ‘Girl I’m Tryin’ rises up the Billboard Dance chart and continues to get Top 40 radio play, J Brazil keeps his past close and his success in check. “Even at my darkest hours, I dreamt that this day would come,” he says. “Music is what kept me alive. I owe it to [my mother] and myself to follow my dreams. So, I created my dream come true.”

Five Questions With J Brazil:

Why did you name yourself J Brazil?

Funny thing is, the J part is more complicated than the Brazil part. My name is Yosef, translated to English, it’s Joseph. Brazil on the other hand is a crazy story. I was born, and since my dad’s last name was Brazil, so was mine … ha ha. Can you imagine my stage name being Y Brazil? Y not?

Who are your musical influences and/or favorite artists?

Growing up not listening to the radio, my musical influences were my parents. Both my father and mother play musical instruments, including seven siblings who are also musically talented. My dad was the type who carried around a tape recorder in his pocket making up tunes while he carpooled. As embarrassed as I was, I was so happy when my parents bought me my own tape recorder to do the same.

Why did you choose to reinvent Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ for your song, ‘Girl I’m Tryin’?

I want to say that it was and always will be a classic. I don’t think I’m reinventing it, I’m just tryin to have fun bringing back a blast from the past.

How have your relationship experiences influenced your music? Any broken hearts?

The biggest heartbreak of my life was losing my mother as a child. It made it much harder to let people in, and music became my outlet. It helped me express all the emotions bottled up inside. On a lighter note, every person connects to music, whether it’s pop, rock, opera, country or dance. Every couple has their song, every person has the songs they connect with. It can be warm or playful. There’s a time and a place for everything.

You’ve lived in the streets, been on your own and fought your way up. What has kept you so determined and positive over the years of hardship?

Giving up was never an option. After the passing of my mom, the pain was so unbearable that I lost myself. Ironically, my mom told me when I was born the doctor said he saw a light around me. “Either he will be a doctor or a star, either way he will make a difference in this world.” Being a doctor wasn’t for me since I couldn’t sit still for .03 seconds, and to be a doctor you need patience (Laughs), so I guess being a star was the only thing left for me to do.

How important is fashion to you as an artist?

Fashion is just another way to express your artistry. Right now, I feel a little wild … don’t mind my colors.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve experienced during your career so far?

This! The build up. Watching all my hard work slowly pay off. Realizing that every drop of sweat and that all my annoying phone calls to everyone, and their mothers, worked. It worked! Sitting in the doctor’s office finding out that I’m going to have a baby and literally ten minutes later getting a call that I’ve received a recording contract from Ultra Records. Having my friends call me from Los Angeles saying they heard my song on the radio. Having my family hear it. Getting my first Top 40 radio add. My second and third. Getting on the Billboard top 100 Dance airplay. I can’t believe it. Is this real?

To watch J Brazil’s ‘Girl I’m Tryin’ Video and read the original article, click to popeater.com

SPINNER: In 2009, Kosha Dillz won an MC battle at Giants Stadium and released his first solo album, ‘Beverly Dillz.’ Kosha Dillz is currently touring with Flex Mathews and Matisyahu. Spinner interviewed Kosha to learn a little more about this up-and-coming artist in advance of his SXSW appearance.

When did you start rapping and performing?

I started rapping probably around 17. I came out of the freestyle battle scene in late ‘99 or early 2000 at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, which is a pretty famous place out in New York. I was basically going into open mics and battles, but primarily the battle that was a big thing was an event called Braggin’ Rites. Anyone who was anyone was in it, everyone from [C-Rayz] Walz to [Immortal] Technique. Mos Def even battled there. It was a really amazing and historical venue, and luckily I got jumped in right there. So for years, up until college, that was basically what I was doing. It was a pretty amazing experience.

How did you come up with your name?

Well, it originally was Kosher Dill. I was Jewish and I wanted something that was cool. I was very imaginative and I was a daydreamer, so I just thought of something that had shock value, you know? When I released my first record, I had come out of jail and I thought I should add a little A to it, and a Z. I was really searching out my roots and digging deep into my spirit, and I decided I was going to go back to the Jewish identity. I had changed it when I was battling because I was kind of ashamed of it. Now people call me Kosha — everyone from my parents to RZA from Wu Tang.

How would you describe your sound?

It’s like an authentic cultural experience. It’s Kosha Dillz, so I take a lot of pride, and this prideful experience has a lot of elements of my Israeli culture in it. It’s also alternative and indie and still pop-ish. I concentrate on a lot of hooks and lot of freestyling, coming out of the freestyle era. The cool thing is that a lot of my fanbase is hip-hop, so the freestyling really helps out in the crowd. I would say alternative, cultural and special.

What are your musical influences?

Musically, I’m really influenced [by] jazz. I also grew up on a lot of Nas, Biggie Smalls, a lot of East Coast hip-hop and Wu Tang. My first CD was Originoo Gunn Clappaz from Boot Camp Clik. And then I had Rancid and Green Day. I had Metallica. I had Pantera. And now I listen to jazz and everything. Plus I was listening to music in Hebrew and having a little flavor with that level. So I would say everything. I wish I could describe the “everythings,” you know?

Who produces your music and beats for you, or do you do it yourself?

Belief. He’s a producer out of Los Angeles. He produced my latest album, called ‘Beverly Dillz.’ That was my first solo album that I’m pushing right now.

What’s in your festival survival kit for SXSW?

I’m gonna come down to the film festival and make sure I’m hitting the film panels with stuff, because the whole album is sample-free, and it’s available to be submitted to movies. I’m going down with, like, 300 posters and hitting up everything. I also bring a lot of oranges and vitamin C because I just get so wiped out ’cause I work so hard. And sleep. If I can sleep well and bring a pillow, I’m gonna do it.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen or experienced on the road?

Craziest thing? There’s a couple things. I did a show in Bristol, England, and a man was so intoxicated that he took off his clothes at the show and was just completely stark naked, which was just completely disturbing. I had to call him out and it scared all the people away, even the host. And then I stage-dived at a show in Philadelphia at the Electric Factory, and no one caught me. There was a seven-foot drop and it crushed all the kids. I was really hurt the next day. Actually, you can YouTube it up at “How Not to Stage Dive with Kosha Dillz.”

Do you have any vices?

Well, I’m a big sucker for carbs. I love carbs, man. I just became vegetarian on the road. When I was in London, I became Kosher, only eating Kosher food. I’m Kosha Dillz, but I was still eating meat outside the house, and I stopped that.

Rolling Stones or Beatles? Tupac or Biggie?

Biggie and the Beatles. Biggie is the fun part in me. Biggie was flirtatious and everyone loved him, but he always seemed to get into trouble. He would always end up in these weird situations. And the Beatles. I feel like the Stones are more serious, but the Beatles are more lighthearted. I think [the Beatles' music] was more unifying. I think people can adapt easier to the Beatles. When I think Beatles, I think multi-colored and faceted.

Written or freestyle?

You know why I love to freestyle? Written I’m more afraid of, because with written I put my time into it, and it’s gonna show a lot about me. But freestyle I’m comfortable with because I’m a very spontaneous person. And I’ve learned how to show you the raw and the real me in the freestyle.

Here’s the list of some of the approved Israeli & Shemspeed fam acts that will perform:

Wed March 17th
Carusella: Barbarella (615 Red River St) (21+) 8 pm
Kosha Dillz: The Independent (501 N IH 35) (21+) at 9:15pm
Onili: Club 115 (115 San Jacinto St) (21+) 11 pm
Orphaned Land: Red 7 (611 E 7th St) (All Ages) 1 am

Thursday March 18th
Kosha Dillz, Y-Love & DJ Balgan: Side Bar (602 East 7th St)

Saturday March 20th
Soulico: Beauty Bar/Palm Door (401 Sabine St) (21+) 10 pm
Boom Pam: Beauty Bar/Palm Door (401 Sabine St) (21+) 11 pm
Balkan Beat Box: Beauty Bar/Palm Door (401 Sabine St) (21+) 1 am

TO LISTEN, CLICK HERE

It was a fusion of ancient architecture, traditional klezmer, Middle East politics and dirty hip-hop when New York rapper Eprhyme stormed Sandy’s Row synagogue on Wednesday night.

Both old and young, filled the gallery and danced around the ornate bimah and ark at 250-year-old synagogue in east London, the oldest Ashkenazi shul in the capital.

Eprhyme, aka Eden Pearlstein, entertained the crowd with Michael Jackson samples, jazz, funk and klezmer beats and rap lyrics covering kabbalah, Jewish identity, radical politics and climate change.

Previously, Eprhyme has been touring with actors and musicians for Merkavah Theatre, playing the narrator in their Purim hip hop megillah, which has been performed at synagogues, the Jewish Community Centre and King Solomon High School in Barkingside.

Eprhyme, who wears a kippah and tzitzit, said of his performances: “Judaism roots what I do. It allows me to stay connected to myself, to God and to my community.”

Young Jewish collective Moishe House London, whose founder is Merkavah Theatre’s artistic director Joel Stanley, organised the gig at Sandy’s Row, the rapper’s last in the UK.

It marked the opening of the Open Jewish Culture Festival, organised by OJC producer Jack Gilbert and Chair of London Jewish Forum Adrian Cohen.

Mr Gilbert said: “This was such a great start event for us, fusing together two cultures which perhaps might never have met before.”

Download the album HERE

Tracklisting:
1. Earth, Wind & Cash - Michael Cohen Remix
2. Love Song - Ori Shochat Remix
3. Leeches - DJ Spooky Remix
4. Ping Pong ft. Dan Toren - Amir Estlein Remix
5. What Do I Have to Do
6. Till the Fat Lady Dances - Shimmy Sonic Remix
7. Current Affairs - Mankush Remix
8. Hard Cleaning - Digital_Me Remix
9. Rak Hasagol - Kusemek.com Remix
10. Move Forward ft. Roy Uadry - Amir Estlein Remix
11. If i Had no Mic ft. Vulkan (Prod. DJ Dao) - unreleased
12. Lost Tape Freestyle Ft. Rebel Sun (Prod. Markey Funk) - unreleased

Saturday 2/27 at 12:00 am
Saturday 2/27 at 7:00 pm
Sunday 2/28 at 10:00 am
Sunday 2/28 at 5:00 pm
Sunday 2/28 at 11:00 pm

check him:
ITUNES - http://tinyurl.com/ybhkqq8 (MTV Soundtrack)
MYSPACE - www.myspace.com/eytanmusic
FACEBOOK - http://tinyurl.com/yjsaa9d
TWITTER - http://twitter.com/EytanSounds

Come on out to The Sway Machinery’s Third Annual Purim Bash featuring special guests DJARARA — New York’s Premiere Haitian Rara Ensemble at Littlefield in Brooklyn. All proceeds to benefit the American Jewish World Service Haiti Relief Fund.

Saturday, February 27th 8PM
Littlefield– 622 Degraw Street between 3rd and 4th Avenue in Gowanus, Brooklyn
http://www.littlefieldnyc.com
$10 advance or with costume, $15 at the door
To order tickets, go to: www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/5389

Sponsored by: FORWARD, AJWS Global Circle, Brooklyn Jews, The Samuel Bronfman Foundation

On the heels of The Sway Machinery’s performance and recording tour of Mali, Africa, the band brings its infectious and joyful vision of worlds of music colliding back to New York for the city’s Premiere Purim Carnivale.

“The energy of six millennia will be focused into a hot party for a vital cause,” says Dan Friedman, Arts & Culture Editor of the Forward.

And if you don’t want to believe Dan, DOWNLOAD a FREE mp3 courtesy of The Sway Machinery and listen for yourself! Purim Sameach y’all!

— Farrah Fidler

In honor of that, DOWNLOAD “SHMA KOLEINU” FREE

Tonight (Sunday) 7:30pm -
421 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 274-4269
www.acowjumpedoverthemoon.com
Tickets $10 General $5 with College ID

As a teen, Bernstein played in a bunch of bands, performing at spots as varied as DC’s dingy Black Cat and the famed Fletcher’s in Baltimore. He enrolled at Bard College last year, intending to study music and literature, but it didn’t last. “I had to figure some ish out,” he says cryptically. Bernstein did what the Jewish refugees of the past have always done in times of turmoil—he moved to NY. While his persona is still shrouded in mystery, the DJ’s musical skills couldn’t be more obvious. We spoke to DJ Kool Jew in his recording studio slash apartment in Brooklyn.

Why call yourself DJ Kool Jew?

It just sort of happened. It reflects how I connect my Judaism with a hip DJ perspective.

For those who haven’t heard your music, how would you describe it?

It’s an eclectic-yet-danceable blend of contemporary Internet culture — using YouTube videos and club-minded back beats.

Who are your musical influences?

I take inspiration from all over the place. I definitely, from a production stand point, look at people like Danger Mouse, Soulico, Timbaland, and all the Shemspeed stuff for guidance. At the same time, I can’t rule out Brian Wilson, Phil Spector, Lee Scratch Perry, or my main man, Matisyahu.

You seem to have some sort of association with Heeb Magazine. Care to share?

I played at their Heebonism event this year, but that’s about it. But I have always loved their magazine. It’s edgy and at times controversial. I admire their ‘we’re not here to please everybody’ attitude. It’s really as ‘street’ as a Jewish organization can be outside of, say, an unfriendly Chasidic man or something.

You had some unusual samples at your premiere performance at Heebonism in NYC this past Christmas Eve. I faintly made out the sound of Zack Galifianakis screaming at one point. Am I nuts?

Ha! Well, no, you’re not nuts, at least in regards to the Zach Galifianakis sample. As I said, my compositions try to bring together disparate elements of Internet and club culture, whether obnoxious, subtle, well-known, or arguably random. The Zach Galifianakis sample, while abrasive, had a musicality to it once it was brought into a sample-context. That is the beauty of sampling as well as YouTube: You can find gems. Something as wild as CBS’s Public Access Holiday Pap Smear Campaign that would otherwise just be regarded as strange on television. YouTube allows anyone to reevaluate commercials, Internet personalities, clips, etc. – and, whether intentional or not, it lets DJs sample these bits of pure, innocent genius to make something larger, new, and most important, danceable out of it. It’s the diamond in the rough effect.

Do you think it’s cool to be a Jew?

In my opinion, absolutely. Because for me, as well as many others I know, the identity associated with being Jewish is one of enigma and experimentalization. You do not need to wear a particular hat, yarmulke or mask to be Jewish and can really find your own niche within it. For me, I use my own heritage and religion to fuel my music, identify with partygoers, fans — those who understand on a deeper and similar level our Judaism. It’s also a religion that puts heavy emphasis on enjoying the moment, being revelrous and loving those around you regardless of differences, at least in theory. This is the part of being Jewish I feel I enjoy the most and find the coolest. That’s why people attending my parties are having the best time.

Taken from heebmagazine.com

Warning: This clip is not for everyone it is long, involved and well worth it.

Full of positive messages, pulsating rhythms and addictive melodies, the release includes “Modern Day Moses” featuring French MC, Shmoolik and remixes by Electro Morocco, Diwon and VIBE & LowKEY.

The Harmony EP & Full Music Video will be released March 16th 2010!

To the left you will find the video teaser, as directed by Lenny Bass (Timbaland, Jill Scott, De La Soul), followed below by an interview with the artist exploring the meaning behind the music.

Why is this single and EP called Harmony? What messages are you hoping people take from the release?

As a Hassidic Jew, living in Crown Heights, Brooklyn – a fairly rough neighborhood – I live with a silent tension, which, at times, explodes, like during the Crown Heights Riots. A lot of this tension is because of a gulf of understanding between races. It’s unhealthy; the tensions run deeper from day to day, and it’s just one example of similar situations around the US and around the world. We are all G-d’s creations, and we have an obligation to appreciate each other, and live with each other. To do that, there must be harmony: racial harmony is the first step. We can break a lot of ice by a simple acknowledgment, a simple smile as we walk by each other on the street. A simple ‘hello’ to show we aren’t so bad, that we care about each other; it makes the world of difference. And what better place to start than in my own neighborhood, Crown Heights, where the tension is so intense.

Why is Modern Day Moses a part of this release? Is this a theme release or just two unrelated songs?

Modern Day Moses is essentially the next step. For my listeners to understand my people, our suffering and what we live for, it’s a big step forward from the traditional stereotypes of the Jewish people. It’s a form of communication to help break the barriers between cultures, nations and people.

What do you hope people take from your music? Who is your target audience?

I hope people learn to appreciate and respect each other while becoming aware of the big picture – the G-dly purpose for our existence in this world. We need to create a dwelling place for G-d in this physical world through acts of goodness and kindness in absolute harmony and in a healthy balance. Therefore, my target audience is the whole, entire world, starting with the hip hop community. It’s all for the love of G-d, people and music.

How does the video express it all? Who are these people in the video? What was the idea behind it?

Harmony is not just a song and video. Harmony is the face of a new underground revolution, a movement that’s spreading fast: Revolution 1. Harmony is merely the theme song of the movement. The video is based around one of the missions of the movement, hence the genuine feeling in the video. The idea of Revolution 1 is to create love, respect, and harmony through creative art forms, from music, dancing, to painting; dispersing work strategically around New York, to begin with, and for all to see. No one in the video is a paid actor. Everyone is there for the cause and for the love of the movement. From my Hispanic brothers to my Hassidic brothers, my Jamaican brothers; it goes on. A busload of some of the most super cool Hassidic brethren drove in all the way from Wilksbury to be a part of it. We are going globally viral and there’s no stopping the love. As the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the spiritual leader of the Lubavitch movement, said, ”Love knows no boundaries” – One love!

p.s. get yours at www.thekef.com

FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, YOU COULD DOWNLOADS “BOOM SELECTA” FREE!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

The single features Y-Love, DeScribe, Kosha Dillz & Eprhyme over an Electro Morocco boombastic dancehall’d, middle eastern’d club favela party beat. And If we may say so ourselves, this has got to be the hottest track of the last couple years.

* pass it to your friends, post it on your blogs, because after that you will only be able to purchase the single digitally worldwide off the upcoming Shemspeed Single and the upcoming “Low Ride” EP by Electro Morocco.

This brings me to John Zorn, a contemporary who has tapped into this same space. On top of recording and producing hundreds of albums, through his Tzadik label, he has taken the Jewish music art form and placed it into an entirely different context. He took traditional musics and made it avant garde, something that indie obsessed music snobs in Japan and Berlin hunt down, something that college radio DJs play on their free forum jazz shows and not something that is just a functional music where traditional tunes are reserved for traditional functions. In college I was so into Zorn that I started a band based on my obsession with Masada, Zorn’s Jewish Jazz quartet. The band was called Juez and one of the members actually went on to be signed by John Zorn’s Tzadik label with his group, Pitom who will perform at the Shemspeed Winter Fest at South Paw on Feb 10th. Juez was a ‘punk jazz klezmer break beat’ band. Zorn’s band was the closest thing to the classic quartet Coltrane once led and, I guess you could say, Juez was the furthest.

- Erez Safar

6 .
David Chack
Chicago
February 8th, 2010
9:26 am
We must learn to live together and one way is to share customs and culture. Diwon’s family has the history and the cred. It is different than misappropriation for instigation and violence. If it creates dialogue and real communication then it is organic and it does what culture is meant to do - create bridges for understanding and creativity.

9 .
JurisVandalus
NYC, NY
February 8th, 2010
9:33 am
Mr. Safer’s statement evinces maturity and a thoughtful eloquence. As an Arab-American, I support his desire to take a uniquely Middle Eastern symbol and cast it in a new, more inclusive light by bringing more Jews into the mix.

Arabs and Jews should both be proud of their long and inspired history within the Middle East region and beyond. May there be peace upon Israel and the Arab world.

16 .
Alan Schleider
Neve Daniel, Israel
February 8th, 2010
10:00 am
To Hala (1 above): One cannot steal one’s own property. Israel’s title to the Land of Israel (not the Land of Ishmael) goes back to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Recall, if you will, that Abraham cut Ishmael out of his will.) Expulsion by Babylonia, then Rome, did not ever abrogate the people of Israel’s legal right to the land that those extinct nations robbed from them. And, anyone who in turn overtook the Land had no more right to title than the Babylonians and the Romans. The only people who have a legal title to the Land of Israel is the People of Israel. (Parenthetically, the only ones who have the legal right to decide to be stupid enough to give away and/or parts of the Land would be the same People of Israel.)

To both Hala (1) and Marc (2) above: By your very illogical method of thinking, Marco Polo should not have brought pasta from China to Italy and the Italians should never have introduced in in turn to the rest of the western world. Let us also forget about having Hamburgers outside of Hamburg and Frankfurters outside of Frankfurt. No pizza outside of Italy, no sushi outside of Japan, (…must I continue or may I presume my point is clear by now)?

I am very sorry to inform both of you that no one has a title deed on cuisine or style.

Note very well that the very Jews who you unjustly accuse looting your cultures were themselves expelled from those same countries; why would you expect them to eat or wear other things?

PS. Am Yisrael Chai!

18 .
Carl Ian Schwartz
Paterson, New Jersey, USA
February 8th, 2010
10:00 am
Actually, observant Muslims DO wear a knit skullcap something like a kipah.

Poster No. 9 has the right attitude–Arabs and Jews have so MUCH in common, and have had for millenia.

20 .
Paul
Queens
February 8th, 2010
10:01 am
Arabs in the Middle East face far greater oppression at the hands of theocratic Arab nations than what they experience in Israel and the occupied territories. Jews have thousands of years of history in that land. Palestinians have existed as a separate identity for perhaps hundreds, although whether they considered themselves to be “Palestinians” rather than Jordanians, Egyptians or simply Arabs for much of that time is debatable. The term “re-mix” is misleading… he’s talking about re-claiming culture rather than appropriation. As he said, “Jews indigenous to the Middle East, such as my family is, have worn some variation of the kefyah (cap/kippah) and keffiyeh (head/neck scarves) for thousands of years.” It’s trendy among college activists to see Israel as a powerful oppressor imposing an apartheid system… it’s shortsighted and shows a lack of understanding of history, and of the politics of the Middle East. The Palestinian propaganda has been very effective among some on the far left, and by far left I don’t mean liberals (of which I am one) but the truly far left, which goes so far left as to meet the far right on the other side of the circle. Use your brain to think, and your heart to feel… substituting one for the other is dangerous and foolish.

26.
postgradny
New York
February 8th, 2010
10:27 am
Wow! When Arab countries adopt Israeli attributes like making positive contributions to mankind through medical innovations, technological innovations, innovations in irrigation and solar power, education and intellectual development, humanitarian missions around the world to places all over Africa and most recently Haiti, should the Israelis complain that the Arabs are copying them? What if Arabs and Moslems instead of blowing up civilians all over the place (Sunnis killing Shiites and vice versa and both killing Kurds and Christians), worshipers at Mosques, Islamic pilgrims, people shopping or eating at cafes or pizza stands, people waiting in line to apply for jobs at police stations, as well as their wives and daughters, and show respect for human life, including making every effort to avoid collateral damage to civilians even when those trying to kill your civilians hide and shoot from among civilians, should the Israelis complain that that is unfair copying by the Arabs and Moslems?

Finally, the Hebrews were in the middle east and Israel thousands of years before Muhammad was even born. Most of everything in Islam and Arab culture was built on the civilizations and monotheistic religions and traditions that came before it, particularly Judaism and Christianity (which Muhammad acknowledges but which the people who took control of most of the region by force seem to have conveniently forgotten).

33.
Carly
Washington, DC
February 8th, 2010
11:09 am
In “recent decades,” the keffiyah “has come to symbolise the Palestinian struggle for self-determination.” (See “Made In Palestine” athttp://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/witness/2009/07/200972711343457982.html)But as the accompanying video explains, the headcovering is “ancient” and every corner of the region has its own pattern or variation, including the Druze (who serve in the Israel Defense Forces).

If I really wanted to start another hummus-type war I might suggest that the keffiyeh resembles a derivative of the Jewish tallit.

Meanwhile, GET TICKETS BEFORE THEY SELL OUT! - http://bit.ly/winterfes

check below, for the rest of the info:

SHEMSPEED WINTER FEST
Feb 10th @South Paw

FEATURING:

SIX POINT STAR

PITOM

LION OF IDO

& DREAMS IN STATIC (CD Release Party with special guest singers)

SOUTH PAW - 125 Fifth Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11217

all info at http://spsounds.com
and http://shemspeed.com

GET TICKETS BEFORE THEY SELL OUT!
click here- http://bit.ly/winterfes
Facebook Event Link

Most know him on stage as Diwon only, while Erez Diwon Safar is a name notable in the music industry as well; Billboard magazine has recognized him and featured him on a cover. He’s no slouch. Based out of Brooklyn, this producer/artist is the most prolific energy that has hit the Jewish music scene in decades, and is the creator and fuel behind Shemspeed, a diverse, popular music site with incredible video, free downloads, information, history and more for the music lover of any background or culture.

When asked about how his music evolved into what it is today, he answered that he always had a passion for Yemenite and Middle Eastern music; his music does in fact, have that undertone. It’s electro-hip hop with that sultry foundation for sure; he claims that when he hears those Middle Eastern styles he has a tendency to want to “mash” it.

He went on to explain that the traditional Moroccan melodies coupled with the other aspects of the music blend struck him [Diwon] as a powerful balance of tradition, something that was new and a contribution to world music and also to the Jewish music genre that was not only significant but possibly incredibly important.

This volcano of spirituality and dedication to meaning is what makes his music and productions so incredibly rich, powerful and different.

“Truth is it has taken me a while to believe in myself enough to do some of the stuff that I now do every day.

“I started the Sephardic Music Festival 5 years ago as an annual 8 night series in New York and at the end of May I will be bringing it to LA. I (as in Shemspeed) just took on the ‘Israeli Keffiyeh’ as an exclusive item on shemspeed.com.”

Always looking at the bigger picture, never settling, he continued, “We are going to launch the Shemspeed Foundation to take on a bunch of the non-profit type of projects that we do in order to be able to bring them to more people and in a more massive and exciting way. And as always, I am promoting current albums and tours for our artists (Y-Love, Eprhyme, Electro Morocco, DeScribe, Kosha Dillz, Darshan, Brody, Dreams in Static, Shtar and more), producing upcoming albums, tours and music videos…..”

He is openly looking for people to collaborate with, and offers his contact information (found at bottom of this article) and says “hit me up, have tons of projects and always need more and more people from around the world to get involved”

“When we tour the world (he says as if most of us can even comprehend that as a norm) I would say its about 70% Jewish people that come out. We generally get great feedback from everyone who comes Jewish or non.

A grassroots element has helped Shemspeed to grow but they are harvesting for a more mass market appeal and message. It’s powerful and good, and Diwon recognizes this, and feels that as long as they continue fresh ways to program and promote, it will continue to grow. “People are loving it and that helps” he adds.

His music is worldwide. His image is down to earth. His talent is like lava erupting. His energy could light up Manhattan. His label, Shemspeed, the rapidly rising underground Jewish music label is a powerful promotional force and resource for Jewish music. It highlights artists around the globe, while exposing new unaffiliated audiences to the diversity that exists within the culture and its music.

“We have our releases written in up in mainstream magazines such as Rolling Stone, XXL, Spin, XLR8R, and the all the national Jewish papers, we have had our artists on everywhere from BBC World, NBC, and CBS. If you go to myspace.com/diwon you coudl download tons of my music. If you go to shemspeed and click Download you coudl find tons more.”

Ahhhh I know what the single ladies (or guys) are thinking. Is this handsome talent single? Nope. He met his match in the talented Nina Safar, his wife. A stunning beauty who is also a pioneer in urban Judaism culture, he beams when he speaks of her.

“Nina has some incredible projects, Maidelle, a forum for young Jewish girls and a way for them to express themselves in a safe and supportive way. She also runs a big Kosher recipe site called Kosher in the Kitch, she has a really big following and it’s really exciting to see it grow. Nina also helps a lot with Shemspeed booking, pr and programming. She helps me get some of my visions down such as the 40 Days 40 Nights tour, calling, shaping the program and documenting it. I help her with her companies by designing some of the graphics and working on the website and work-shopping some ideas, which is what we do for each others projects on a daily basis.”

What’s on the near horizon for Diwon? Maybe making or tweaking a song that resonates the feeling of your company?

“The one that we are doing now. It’s the Shemspeed MC’s vs. Electro Morocco. The track sounds like the craziest world music festival packed into 3 minutes. The music is clubby, banging and middle eastern and the Shemspeed MCs are rapping on it. It’s fire! and it features, DeScribe, Y-Love, Eprhyme, Kosha Dillz and Shi360.”

If you still don’t have a handle on how to compartmentalize this powerhouse of talent variety, Diwon sums it up with, “it’s a home to all types of incredible music, mostly Jewish artists, but not necessarily Jewish music as you would imagine it. If you like world music and hip hop, Shemspeed will be one if not, your favorite record labels.

On the horizon also, is the Shemspeed Foundation, tons more CD’s, music videos, remixes, tours, festivals, apparel and more. There is no limit to what could be around the corner.

Considering his deep knowledge of how we are all inter-related, when asked about society, he responds, “We have more similarities than differences, lets focus on the similarities and collaborate on those! celebrate those, create more of those….”

Looking at the big picture, I would certainly say that Diwon, Shemspeed and the entire organization and collaboration is certainly “taking charge”.
Looking to collaborate, www.shemspeed.com

# # #

original article here.

also, check the photos:
http://twitpic.com/11axtm - @Diwon with the custom color, check for those next! More to come from Matis & the rest of the fam.
http://twitpic.com/11axcr - @Benitonnyc rockin the Israeli Keffiyeh - get yours at http://thekef.com

Dreams in Static conjures up the aesthetic of James Bond, Prefuse 73, & Pulp Fiction. Each song is the soundtrack to a film in a genre of its own. This is music that exists beyond pop and yet overflows with it.

Serene Poetic strikes a balance between Diwon, a Brooklyn-based hip-hop producer, and Dugans, a multifaceted guitarist-composer from Texas. Using live drums, samplers, analog synths, electric pianos and guitars, Dreams in Static transcends genres and breathes new life and depth with each subsequent listen. The album teems with life, beauty and depth; it’s an instrumental masterpiece that resurrects live instrumental music and guitar-based symphonies. It pops in a world where popular music has been left in a state of static.

If hip-hop is dead to the underground and rock is dead to the mainstream, “Serene Poetic” resurrects the two and blends their elements into a single sonic sonnet.

Download from Amazon
Download from iTunes

or buy direct

Download from Amazon
Download from iTunes

or buy direct

read more about Darshan below

Darshan is astral rap, liturgical jazz, audio alchemy. Harmonizing Hebrew chant with hip-hop, folk rock with electro-pop, love poetry with kabbalistic psychology, Darshan is a unique and organic weave of world wisdom traditions and modern musical styles.

At its core, Darshan is the creative and contemplative collaboration between Shir Yaakov Feinstein-Feit and Eden “Eprhyme” Pearlstein. Together, these two juxtapose diverse sounds and styles in an artistic act of bridge building.

The group is exceptionally versatile, playing both stripped down acoustic (and even a capella) sets, as well as full force, multi-instrumental concerts. Fans uncomfortable or unfamiliar with hip-hop are able to appreciate this complex and moving music when it’s slowed down and softened up. The big, plugged-in, live band festival and club sets resonate with the younger and/or more rock-oriented crowd.

As Modern Midrash Makers, Darshan is able to offer a wide variety of presentations, including facilitated text study sessions, shabbatons, melaveh malkas, children’s programs and weddings.

Now, 65 years after the liberation of the Nazi death camp, the 85-year-old has teamed up with the hip-hop band Microphone Mafia to spread her anti-racism message to German youth.

“It’s a clash of everything: age, culture, style,” Bejarano, a petite lady with an amiable chuckle, told The Associated Press ahead of Auschwitz Liberation Day on Wednesday. “But we all love music and share a common goal: we’re fighting against racism and discrimination.”

In Shalom, the first track of the CD Bejarano and the Microphone Mafia released last year titled Per La Vita, the bands sing about longing for world peace.

“My head is bowed, too many tears held back,” the song goes. “Worried I look around and see what happens, I’m not their leitmotif, which is the base of their lives: Violence, hatred and death, because too many people remained silent.”

The daughter of a Jewish cantor from Saarbruecken in western Germany, Bejarano grew up in a musical home studying piano until the Nazis came to power and tore her family apart. Bejarano was deported to Auschwitz, where she became a member of the girls’ orchestra, playing the accordion every time trains full of Jews from across Europe arrived at the death camp.

“We played with tears in our eyes,” Bejarano remembered. “The new arrivals came in waving and applauding us, but we knew they would be taken directly to the gas chambers.”

Bejarano survived, but her parents and sister Ruth were killed by the Nazis.

For the past 20 years Bejarano has played music mostly from the past – Yiddish melodies, tunes from the ghetto and Jewish resistance songs – with her children Edna and Yoram in a Hamburg-based band called Coincidence.

About two years ago, Kutlu Yurtseven, a Turkish immigrant rapper from the Cologne-based Microphone Mafia, got in touch with the band to see if they’d team up with them.

“Our band wanted to do something against the growing racism and anti-Semitism in Germany,” Yurtseven, 36, said in a phone interview Tuesday.

“Yoram told me that first of all he had to ask his mother Esther what she thought about a crossover project with a bunch of young rappers.”

Esther Bejarano, it turned out, thought hip-hop music “was really a bit too loud,” but also said she saw it as a good way to reach out to Germany’s youth.

“We want to keep the memories of the Holocaust alive, but at the same time look into the future and encourage young people to take a stand against new Nazis,” said Bejarano. “I know what racism can lead to and the members of Microphone Mafia are immigrants and have experienced their share of discrimination as well.”

Yurtseven, a Muslim, also sees a message of religious harmony.

“All religions ask to love and respect others and that’s what we do as well,” Yurtseven said.

The crossover of modern hip-hop and traditional Jewish folklore turned out to be quite a hit. The rappers have mixed Jewish songs with stomping hip-hop beats and also created new lyrics for some of the songs that are more accessible for a younger audience.

Last summer, the two bands released Per La Vita and a documentary about the band that was initially scheduled for the Auschwitz liberation anniversary is now supposed to be ready later this year to be shown at high schools across Germany.

The CD was released on a small, independent label and it was not clear how many copies were sold.

Currently, the troupe is touring through Germany. Their audiences range from teenage immigrants at metropolitan youth centers to a more established, older crowd that usually favors Bejarano’s classic approach to music.

“They all love it,” said Bejarano. “Even some of the older guests sometimes climb on the chairs and dance.”

Bejarano said it can be exhausting at her age to perform on stage with a bunch of youngsters but that she has found ways to adjust the shows to her needs.

“I’ve educated the boys,” Bejarano said with her trademark chuckle. “We’ve lowered the volume and I told them to stop jumping around on stage all the time.”

For Yurtseven and his fellow band members, the fact that they are performing with an Auschwitz survivor has been a unique experience as well.

“I once asked Esther how she can still make music after Auschwitz,” he remembered. “And she said that if they had also taken away the music from her, she would have died.”

My family originates from Yemen, where my ancestors had lived for close to 2,0000 years. Nearly 100 years ago, my Grandmother’s side of the family decided to move to Adis Ababa, Ethiopia and then to Israel, in 1933 (Southern Syria/Mandate Palestine at the time). On my Grandfather’s side, our family emigrated to Israel in 1924. Jews indigenous to the Middle East, such as my family is, have worn some variation of the “kefyah” (cap/kippah) and keffiyah (head/neck scarves) for thousands of years. The original purpose of the scarves, was to provide protection from the sun and sand. When it comes to religious observance, the Muslim tradition of head covering originates from the Jewish tradition. We have had some Arab friends take offense to our new scarf-remix. In response to such, I thought it was essential to release this statement in order to clarify the historical facts on the ground and, to provide some context. I as a Jew am not offended by the Pope who wears a “kippah” and in the same respect, I don’t feel there is any reason for anyone taking offense to a Jewish person wearing a version of the Keffiyah which they identify with; especially considering the significance of this article of clothing in both of all of our histories. There are numerous variations of the Keffiyah today; the red and white Keffiyah is associated with Jordan and worn throughout the Middle East and Somalia and have been worn by Bedouins for centuries. The black and white Keffiyah, idolized in the 1960s by Yasser Arafat, has become the symbol of the Palestinian resistance movement. The way that symbols are politicized and used to divide people, rather than as common ground for discussion and dialogue is exactly the kind of thought-provoking topic that we at Shemspeed explore with our music, as well as our programming. Our Israeli remix of the Keffiyeh, available through Shemspeed, is just one more interpretation of a scarf worn by our brothers for thousands of years. We hope you enjoy them.

- Erez Safar, Founder & Director of Shemspeed

THAT SAID; GRAB YOURS NOW! - WWW.THEKEF.COM

The Israeli Keffiyeh, with its intricate Star of David pattern in the center piece, and words “AM ISRAEL CHAI” (Jewish People Live) in Hebrew weaved into its fabric, this scarf illustrates a divine promise that the Jewish people are eternal.

100% cotton Israeli Keffiyeh
AND Diwon’s Sabra Sessions Vol. 1
for only $18.00

*
a high energy Israeli dance club hip hop influenced mix by Diwon, the American-Israeli DJ/Producer extraordinaire. The listener hears Diwon remixing, choppin up, slowing down, speeding up, and sampling all types of sounds to create a seamless mix of seemingly disjointed tracks that sound like Israel landed on top of Daft Punk & M.I.A.’s studio.

Follow The Kef on Twitter - https://twitter.com/thekef
MORE INFO AT WWW.THEKEF.COM

Hit up the shows, grab your cellphones and text YELE 501501 and give up 5 or 10 bucks…
every penny and every day counts.

* The tour spans across the entire USA from NJ to Hawaii, and aims to increase the awareness of the devastation in Haiti and raise over $10,000 dollars in humanitarian aid for the earthquake victims via
real face to face contact, the way all heroes should interact.

Tour Dates Below:

jan 27th Downstairs w/ Bukue One
Salt Lake City, UT
jan 28th Star bar
Park City UT
feb 5th Abbey Pub w/ DJ Yoda
Chicago, IL
feb 6th Raging Buffalo Resort w/ Slick Rick
Algonquin, IL
feb 7th Yacht Club
Iowa Ciy, IA
feb 8th Vaudevilles Mews
Des Moines, IA
feb 9th Vaudevilles Mews w/ Trevor hall (early show)
Des Moines, IA
Feb 9th Peoples w/ Skee Lo
Des Moines, IA
feb 10th Firebird
St Louis, MO
feb 12th Nutty’s North w/ Mr Dibbs
Sioux Falls , SD
feb 13th Reptile Palace
Oshkosh, WI
feb 14th Schubas w/ Trevor hall
Chicago IL
Feb 15th Day Trotter
Rock Island, IL
feb 19th Jewlicious Festival
Long Beach, CA
feb 20th Jewlicious Festival
Long Beach, CA
feb 21st Jewlicious Festival
Long Beach, CA
feb 25th Pipeline Cafe w/ Matisyahu
Honolulu, HI
feb 27th Kuhio Lounge w/ Matisyahu
Kapaa, HI
Feb 28th Lahaina Civic Center w/ Matisyahu
Lahaina, HI
Mar 1st Rockstarz w/ Matisyahu
Kailua Kona, HI
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Pick up your copy of Kosha Dillz’s "Beverly Dillz" album!
"an uptempo, synthesized introduction to a spiritual fast life of the Hollywood underground via Garden State perspective, sprinkled with a touch of unorthodox "kosher" heritage and culture." CLICK TO BUY NOW

That said, we have just added two tracks from Shtar, the latest addition to the Shemspeed family. This duo is a cross between the Gorillaz and Dr. Dre on a Torah trip. Then VIBE and Low KEY, of MSP, remixed DeScribe’s “Harmony” (Single & Video, coming soon). Last, we added “Low Ride”, the leading single from the upcoming Electro Morocco EP, all coming out very soon on the Shemspeed Label!

TO LISTEN, CLICK HERE

המיתון עדיין כאן אבל החגיגה נמשכת!!! שי (360) בשת”פ בינלאומי עם אומן
הרגאיי בניטון.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Pick up your copy of Kosha Dillz’s "Beverly Dillz" album!
"an uptempo, synthesized introduction to a spiritual fast life of the Hollywood underground via Garden State perspective, sprinkled with a touch of unorthodox "kosher" heritage and culture." CLICK TO BUY NOW

“The committee, comprised of four individuals, will give its approbation
to those music albums that they feel is appropriate for the every
Jewish home (sic) and will enhance one’s connection to [G-d]….information in the guidelines include that percussion should be used
sparingly, guitar and saxophone should not be used at all, and *all
forms of modern music, including pop, reggae, disco and rap, are
forbidden.*”

So they really went ahead with this. NO Torah authorities have signed on to this, and I fail to see what positive benefit this could POSSIBLY have. One more thing to be mocked in media, חלילה.

- Y-Love

p.s. Diwon says that if even one of the Shemspeed CDs get’s approved, I know we are doing something wrong!

Jay-Z, U2 and Swizz Beatz teamed up to record a song to aid in the relief effort. On Saturday, producer Swizz Beats hinted via Twitter that the project was in the works. “Me, Bono, Hova, have something to say about Haiti stay tunned [sic],” he wrote. “I told you I was working on something amazing for Haiti they need us!!!!”

Swizz reportedly approached Jay about the idea first, before reaching out to the band. U2 guitarist Edge confirmed via tweets this past weekend that the song was already recorded. “Last night we wrote a song…Bono got a call from a producer, Swizz. He and Jay-Z wanted to do something for Haiti. So, Bono came up with the phrase on the phone, and last night we were here, we wrot a song–finished, recorded, and sent it back to them. So, that might be the next thing you hear from us.”

The content of the track is not yet known, but could potentially garner some significant donations.

Kosha Dillz is also lending his voice to the cause. The rapper and humanitarian said that he’ll be donating $10,000 to the relief effort in Haiti, using money from his upcoming tour to do so.

Slick Rick, Del the Funky Homosapien, and Skee Lo are just a few of the acts that will join him on respective stops on the tour.

While performing my journalistic duty as a Jewish-vegan blogger, I learned several fascinating things. First, Natalie loves the name “heebnvegan.” (I somehow managed to maintain my composure when she said this.) Second, she apparently remembers our initial encounter. Third, she sees her decision not to take animals’ lives for food as the core of her Judaism. Finally, she thinks vegetarian food in Israel and California is excellent, but unlike the world’s second-most famous Jewish vegan, she finds New York vegetarian food disappointing.

Below is a transcript of our conversation during the Q&A portion of the event.

Hi, Natalie. I run the blog heebnvegan. Do you make a connection between your—
I love that name, man!

Thank you. That means a lot. Thank you. Do you make a connection between your Jewish faith and your vegan diet, and do you prefer—
I think I’ve been asked this question at another Q&A before, but I can answer it again.

And also, do you prefer vegetarian food in Israel or in the U.S.?
Controversial! I’m glad you asked. … What did you ask about Jewish—

Do you make a connection between your Jewish faith and your vegan diet?
Absolutely! … There’s a reason why every major religion has food rules. Because three times a day, you’re forced to think about your morality and your ethics and what you believe in. And … the reason you eat what you do—even not religion, but just culturally, why you eat a cow and not a dog—represents something in who you are and how you think about things. …

I definitely think the center of Judaism for me is not taking life. … The most important rule in Judaism is that you can break any rule in order to save a life. So, if life is the center of everything, then not taking life three times a day and making that decision is very important.

Vegetarian food: Excellent in Israel. Not so good in New York. Excellent in California.

Although Natalie did not discuss animal issues when she was being interviewed by the Times‘ Patrick Healy, she did pique my interest numerous times. Regarding her relationship with Israel, she said, “There’s never a loss of love but always a mutation of stance.” When she explained that she was not very socially active while attending high school on Long Island, she said that was probably for the best: “[The] Long Island high school scene is, like, hanging out in a mall parking lot.” When she said that she and her father both have tremendous discipline and can go without much sleep, she said, “We’d be very good in the military if we didn’t hate war so much.”

- Michael Croland

Click here to help out!

- Y-Love

* more info on the Sulha at http://hiphopsulha.com

The track features Akon, whom we wouldn’t call ourselves a fan of but we sure like listening to him on songs.

Our only critique with Matisyahu’s One Day is that it sounds A LOT like Alicia Keys‘ No One. But, hey, steal from the best, right? That song was a hit and so will this one!

Check it out (here).

And now for some background info: In the late sixties, Israel experienced a music revolution that has never been repeated….it lasted almost ten years. Artists like Yitzchak Klepter, Shalom Chanoch, The Churchills, Arik Einstein, and Miki Gabrielov, became the musical force of the whole nation - young and old alike. They captured the feeling and identity of the whole nation in their musical expression. They sang and performed songs that expressed feelings and thoughts with which all Israelis identified. The music was not superficial in any way; instead, it was sincere, sensitive, emotional, and thought-provoking.

Levi Mordechai recaptures that same magic found in their music. Drawing influence from bands like Sigur Ros, YACHT and Radiohead, this group of three musicians put guitars back into the spotlight, while blending live electronics with a retro feel. Their music expresses the soul of Israel with a kaleidoscopic wall of guitars ritually blended with urban Brooklyn rhythms. The music, narrated in Hebrew, is uniquely culminated by the convergence of these three vastly diverse musicians.

The group came together as Dugans, the innovative and multifaceted guitarist/composer from Austin, Texas met Mordechai Friedman, his neighbor from down the street in Crown Heights. Friedman, South African classic rock performer and songwriter, who worked the Israeli club and disco circuit in the 70’s, had never actually recorded an album in his life, and decided that at 55, it was finally time. Along came Diwon, the American-Israeli DJ/Producer extraordinaire behind the Shemspeed label, who also happened to live down the street. He got wind of the tracks, that at the time were just guitar and vocals. Diwon, always sensitive to, and looking out for new waves, heard something unique and beautiful in the demos and immediately wanted to take them on as a project and take the sound to the next level. After he laid down synths and drums, the project started to sound exactly how Dugans had pictured it from the start. Levi Mordechai bridges poetry, World music, electronics, and rock in a way that has not been heard before.

Full album, produced by Dugans & Diwon of Dreams in Static, coming soon!

Ha’ Orot is a spoken word/jazz album on John Zorn’s iconoclastic record label Tzaddik. It combines the ecstatic mystical poetry of Rabbi Avraham Itzchak HaCohen Kook, TZ’L, artfully delivered by Rabbi Itzchak Marmorstein, with the deep and jazzy grooves of avant klezmer/jazz giant Rabbi Greg Wall and his band The Later Prophets. As a poet, i must be honest, i generally tend to hate poetry. And most of all I find myself turned off by “spoken word” poetry. So when I saw this collaborative project, I was at the same time, interested and instantly judgmental. But, by virtue of the artistic integrity and track record of the record label on which it was released, and in the merit of the burning spiritual passion of Rav Kook, I decided to let my curiosity get the better of me. And within minutes into the album, I was glad I did. Because what I found when I sat down and opened up to listen was both exciting and inspiring. First of all, Rav Kook’s words are like burning coals that warm and illuminate the soul in its incessant seach for something unattainable. His poetry, at it’s best, teases out and transcends all denominational categorization and pierces the veils that separate one thing from the next, swirling all of creation into an intoxicated dervish dance of unity and ultimate redemption. Rabbi Marmorstein’s performance and presentation of these soaring poems truly brings the words to life and turns them into music. They are made to sound relevant and revolutionary, as all timeless mystical poetry should be. It is at once both playful and penitent. There is no dryness nor academic detachment present within Rabbi Marmorstein’s delivery, two things which poetry often suffers from. In my opinion Rabbi Marmorstein really does these poems justice, which admittedly is no small task, given that they were written by a man of such spiritual and social stature within the Jewish tradition as Rav Kook. Chazak Chakak Rabbi Marmorstein. And last but not least is the music itself, the jazz provided so tastefully by Greg Wall’s Later Prophets. Really, a perfect of blend of classic, in the pocket swing, as well as cacophonous and creatively chaotic soundscapes, providing what John Coltrane would refer to as “walls of sound” upon which these Jackson Pollock like poetic portraits were hung. All in all, a great album for those with a taste for the mystical, complex and multi-dimensiounal.

Important Note:
This year we are approaching the 75th Yaartzeit of Rav Kook and thus this ensemble humbly hopes to bring these brilliant lights to the world. All interested parties, as well as those who wish to purchase the cd, are directed to: www.haorot.org

Contributing musicians:
Rabbi Greg Wall-tenor and soprano saxophones, clarinet, shofar, moseño
Shai Bachar-piano, keyboards
Dave Ricards-bass
Aaron Alexander-drums
Rabbi Itzchak Marmorstein, spoken word

by Eden Pearlstein

EXCLUSIVE: Jewish rapper DeScribe and Aliya Director Rabbi Moshe Feiglin are opening a music and entertainment center in Crown Heights.

By COLlive reporter

A new music and entertainment center, which still has not been named, will be opening in the coming week or so in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights.

It will include a fully equipped recording studio, workshops on writing music, photography and video filming, COLlive.com has learned.

Housed in the Aliya youth institute at 525-527 East New York Avenue, it is a collaboration between the director Rabbi Moshe Feiglin and Lubavitch rapper Shneur Hasofer, aka DeScribe.

“The center will provide an opportunity for our youth to develop new skills and talents and empower them to give back to the community,” Australian-born Feiglin told COLlive.com.

He and DeScribe, an Australian too, are in talks with professionals and have recently visited Columbia University’s WKCR 89.9FM station.

They will be renting out the studio to engineers who work with some of today’s Jewish talent, such as MBD, Lipa Schmeltzer, Yaakov Shwekey and Gad Elbaz.

Their names were not provided as agreements are not final.

“Our youth will be able to watch them at work and learn,” DeScribe said. “We are offering locals to schedule in advance free studio time and assistance. Everything is at our disposal.”

Feiglin said he hopes to stir teenagers and older youth to visit his center which includes a shul, gym (for men and women), classes and farbrengens.

Aliya is credited with “reaching inwards,” working with Crown Heights youth which has not fit into the yeshiva system mold.

“When I first discovered Aliya, I found a place of warmth, acceptance, and connection to growth which provided truly non judgmental opportunities for advancement in Yiddishkeit and in the world at large,” DeScribe says.

“It was the kind of place I wish I had when I was growing up. I left home at 14 and later joined the IDF at 17. A place like this could have really helped me. This is what attracted me to Aliya,” he added.

Said Feiglin: “Shneur’s collaboration with Aliya on this amazing project will help us provide a whole new variety of opportunities to our youth and will definitely take us all to the next level.”

As DeScribe is “living the dream,” recording and performing with well-known artists, he says he wants “to give others the chance, as I have the knowledge and equipment.

He sees the center’s target crowd as children from all backgrounds, and says he is in touch with Mashpiim on how to run the place in a spiritual manner.

“The youth today find it harder to connect. They are energetic, creative and hyperactive. Many are spending their free time - and even school time - on the streets.”

Visit, ChabadinReach.com

Yidcore played their final show on December 17 in their hometown of Melbourne, Australia. The genre-defining Jewish punk band went from
just covering classic Jewish songs a decade ago to recording gems like "Punk Rock Chanukah Song" and "They Tried to Kill Us. They Failed. Let’s Eat!" Their 2005 cover of the entire Fiddler on the Roof score is a masterpiece of cultural expression. Untold amounts of hummus, falafel, latkes, bagels, and Manischewitz have been lost along
the way.

Yidcore rocks the houseI give credit to Yidcore for introducing me to the very notion of Jewish punk in the first place. They made me want to dig deeper and find out everything I could in terms of other bands, books, and films. They helped me better understand my own Jewish identity and realize that I could be Jewish on my own terms. I will always cherish the memories from when I covered their 2006 U.S. tour for the Forward and got to spend quality time with the band’s members. Whether it was the discussions we had when I put my clipboard down or the time that
Bram, Myki, Rory, and I squeezed into the back seat of a car, I’ll never forget my Almost Famous experience.

One last time, here is Yidcore singer (and vegetarian) Bram Presser in his own words.

Why is Yidcore calling it quits?

It’s been ten years of something that was supposed to be a stupid one-night joke. We’ve had an awesome time, met tons of amazing people, toured with most of our heroes and sampled all the best falafel the world has to offer. Plus, when I was young and thin, getting naked and smearing hummus over myself on stage was funny. Now it scares even me. And I can’t afford the amount of hummus it now [takes] these days. The death of our [rubber chicken] mascot, Scrambles, didn’t really help things either.

Things are coming together for Jewish punk in the U.S. A few movies connecting Judaism and punk are in production. As far as bands go,
Moshiach Oi! released an album of "Torah hardcore" in August, CAN!!CAN and The Shondes are working on new albums, and Di Nigunim is a delightful punk band with a klezmer slant rather than the other way around. What’s your take on these developments?

Yeah, it’s
really cool. I’ve always said that punk and Judaism is a natural fit on so many levels, so let’s hope it continues to grow. As for us, I hope
we played a part in paving the way, perhaps providing a path between the early bands like Gefilte F*ck and the new breed. It was never
commercially successful, but maybe that’s the next step in the evolution of Jewish punk from which those bands can benefit. If not actual commercial success, then at least sustainable in the long term.

Covered in hummus one last timeWhat legacy does Yidcore leave behind?
Filthy hummus-soaked stages around the world. A slew of dead Israeli songwriters whose fate can be directly attributed to their outspoken dislike of us (see Naomi Shemer). Lots of laughs. Showing people that it’s OK to have fun with the culture/religion and that God won’t strike you down with lightning for slaughtering sacred cows.

Do you have any parting words for Natalie Portman?
On
our last album, we had a song "Natalie Portman, This Is Your Last Chance." What can I say, she missed out. She’s too short for me anyway. And she was way hotter when she was 14 in Leon [released as The Professional in the U.S.]. Is that wrong?

Michael Croland can also be found blogging at Heeb’n'vegan.

Pick one up and get Diwon’s Sabra Sessions all for just $18
click here - www.shemspeed.com/kef

Now a word from Dveykus: What prompted me to design a Jewish version of a keffiyeh/scarf is the fact that a traditional Arab head wear has become not only a symbol of injustice, but a fashion statement. In New York city one can not go anywhere with out seeing people on the street wearing them, they ranging from different ethnicity, color and background. The first thing that came to mind was:

Do they know what they are wearing?
Are they making a statement?
If so what is it? Or are they simply following fashion trends?

It is my sincere hope that this scarf would serve as a symbol of Jewish pride, unity of purpose, galvanizing Jews from different backgrounds and perhaps become as an iconic symbol of our future!!

The Israeli Keffiyeh, with its intricate Star of David pattern in the center piece, and words AM ISRAEL CHAI (Jewish People Live) in Hebrew weaved into its fabric, this scarf illustrates a divine promise that the Jewish people are eternal.

FOR MORE INFO & TO GRAB THEM ON SALE NOW!
CLICK http://shemspeed.com/kef

ch-ch-ch-eck out the song to the left and let us know what ya think!

- Guy Emanuel

now for the article which appears online at guiltandpleasure.com

STOP ME IF YOU THINK YOU’VE HEARD THIS ONE BEFORE
Shedding the mantle of socialite DJ to become a critically successful producer, Mark Ronson is Jewtastic - BY ALAN LIGHT

“There’s this funny English website called Jewtastic,” says Mark Ronson, seated in the booth at his lower Manhattan recording studio/label office. “They write about all these new heroes, like Sacha Baron Cohen and Amy Winehouse and people like that. And when I was working with Amy on her record, I kind of got upset that I wasn’t in there — I was like, ‘Don’t they know?’”

It’s hard to imagine there are any secrets left about thirty-one-year-old Ronson, who at this moment is recovering from a late-night rehearsal for the U.S. debut of his new band. Ronson has been in the public eye since growing up as the son of British real estate mogul Laurence Ronson and social fixture Ann Dexter (and then, when Dexter remarried, as the stepson of Foreigner guitarist Mick Jones). He worked as a Tommy Hilfiger model as a teenager and became an internationally known, brand-name DJ, controlling the dance floor at Puff Daddy’s birthday parties and Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’s wedding.

But in the last year, Ronson has managed to shift his focus from spinning other people’s grooves to creating his own. He produced tracks for British songstresses Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse, and recently released his own second album, Version, on RCA/Allido Records. Version contains reconceived, full-band renditions of hits by the likes of Britney Spears, Radiohead, and Ryan Adams; “Stop Me,” a cover of the Smiths’ “Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before,” reached No. 2 on the British singles chart.

These projects share a sensibility that led to The New York Times recently identifying “the emerging Ronson sound: old-school black music (Motown or reggae or funk) meets new-school black music (hip-hop beats and rhymes) meets retro Brit-pop.” Most recently, he applied that style to a remix of Bob Dylan’s “Most Likely You Go Your Way (and I’ll Go Mine)” for inclusion on a new greatest-hits package from the legendary rocker; it’s the first time Dylan has ever sanctioned such a treatment, even turning over the original master tapes for Ronson’s manipulation.

Despite his constant presence on the global party circuit, it took a while for Ronson to attain success away from the turntables. His debut album, 2003’s Here Comes the Fuzz, was a flop, and albums he produced for singer Nikka Costa and rapper Rhymefest were also disappointments. But he used his DJ gigs to finance the Allido label, which he runs with partner Rich Kleiman — and now it seems as if Mark Ronson’s moment has truly arrived.

One thing that has stayed relatively private, though, is Ronson’s religion. Though other Jewish artists in the hip-hop community seem to find their heritage in the foreground whether they want it there or not (just ask the Beastie Boys), and many Jewish music fans have a Trainspotter-style obsession with identifying rockers who are members of the tribe, Ronson’s Judaism has been lost in his celebrated personal backstory. But as his music gets taken more seriously, this part of his identity is starting to get more attention.

Even Jewtastic finally took notice. “I got my first little piece on there about two months ago, when my single got big in England,” he says. “I was so psyched, it was unbelievable. Now I’ve become a regular fixture on there.” Of course, Ronson adds, “I guess there aren’t many Jews with top-ten hits in the U.K. right now.”

AL: Is the relationship between your Jewish identity and your music something that’s interesting to you? Is it anything you ever think about?

MR: I don’t think specifically of my Jewish identity when I’m creating music. But I grew up fairly religious. In England, I’d go to Sunday school and to Hebrew school two or three days a week. I had a serious bar mitzvah. I remember moving to New York and realizing that all the kids I knew were reading the stuff phonetically off the page, and I was just dumbfounded that they let kids do that.

It’s always weird to talk about religion because as soon as you do, you feel like a fraud or something if you’re not completely devout, but I have kept a lot of those things. I still go to synagogue on the holidays. I like two things about it: the traditional aspect — I think the traditions are good things and you want to stick by them — and also the spirituality. I do feel better when I’m in the synagogue than when I’m not. And I think that’s partly because you feel like you’re putting in your time, but also because of this feeling of reverence or whatever. But as far as relating it specifically to music, I think there’s always been this thing where you get a kick out of finding out that David Lee Roth is Jewish or whoever.

AL: Marc Bolan is my own favorite Jewish rock star.

MR: Marc Bolan was Jewish? That’s incredible! Well, I know a lot of Jews who wear giant diamond Stars of David but don’t go to synagogue — like “I’m Jewish and I love Larry David,” but without the religious side of it. You’re allowed to like whatever you like, I can’t say it’s wrong, but if you go around trumpeting that you have a link to your religion but you don’t practice that religion at all — I don’t have a problem with that, I guess I just find it a bit hollow.

And then I don’t have to tell you about the correlation between blacks and Jews in the music industry. There obviously is a bond there, or maybe it’s just a matter of New York City being heavily populated by both.

AL: What do you think about the connection between Jews and black music? Of course there’s the business opportunity it represented, and, as you say, the physical proximity, but is there more to it than that?

MR: I think it’s one of the most interesting things in the world, at least in the entertainment world. I don’t know if there’s some kind of bond between these two people who have been persecuted through history, or if because minorities have always heavily populated urban areas that there’s bound to be attraction. But it’s certainly not the WASPs who founded Priority Records or Profile Records. But I hate to hazard a guess on those kinds of things, because it seems like any time you talk about racial stuff, I feel like I would say something that someone would find completely offensive.

AL: Well, how about just in your own experience?

MR: My own experience was that my dad listened to tons of funk and soul around the house, like he used to play Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five’s “New York, New York” for me and my sisters, and we’d jump on the bed. He just loved soul music and had good taste, and that obviously shaped the fact that I liked beats and loved bands like the Meters.

But there have been these pillars of hip-hop from the beginning, people like Rick Rubin and Lyor Cohen. I’ve never encountered a rapper who was like, “Oh, you’re Jewish? What’s that like?” Rhymefest will make funny jokes because it’s his nature to be controversial, so he’ll say something about being a Jew and obviously I’m not returning the favor. But I’ve never encountered any sort of combative stuff. I think it’s just kind of accepted that there’s this kind of mutual respect between blacks and Jews in the music industry. I think if Rhymefest was working with somebody in the industry who wasn’t Jewish, he’d be a bit more disturbed or suspicious. It just seems to be how it goes.

AL: Tell me more about your own Jewish upbringing.

MR: In England, the Jewish community is a bit more insular — not that they keep to themselves, but they’re a bit more devout. I would say a larger percentage of the Jewish population practices and keeps the traditions. So I came from a family that was fairly religious. I went to Sunday school and all that stuff. Had Friday night dinner at my grandmother’s. And then we moved to New York when I was eight and my mother remarried my stepdad, Mick, who wasn’t Jewish, so it got a bit more relaxed. But we still did all the holidays, went to Sunday school, had a bar mitzvah with a circumcision as the opening act.

AL: How has your relationship to religion changed over time?

MR: I think it’s a little different; it’s not like I have to go to synagogue because I live at home and I have to go with my mother or whatever. When you go now, you know that you’re doing it for yourself. I am into the tradition of it, even as it extends to time that I spend with my family on Yom Kippur. We’re all pretty close, but there’s something different when everybody is in the house starving together. I also find that when I don’t go for a little while, I feel like I’m getting too self-involved, like I can’t even make time to go to synagogue, and then I get wracked with guilt. But when I do go, it’s not really out of duty. I actually do enjoy it and enjoy being there.

AL: When people write about you, they pile on a bunch of descriptions: “transatlantic,” “socialite mother and rock star stepdad,” “former model.” They seem to identify you from the same menu of biographical details but seldom mention your religion.

MR: Yeah, it is weird that they throw every other modifier in there except that one. But I don’t know, maybe they think it’s just assumed that if you’re in New York and you have something to do with hip-hop then you’re Jewish. Have there been any important non-Jewish people in the hip-hop industry? I guess it’s not really the other way around, like you wouldn’t know the religion of Jessica Simpson — well, with Jessica Simpson it would be the whole God Squad thing. So I don’t know.

AL: Was Judaism something you and Amy Winehouse talked about when you were working on her record?

MR: Yeah, we definitely talked about it. Her dad is Mitch Winehouse, cab driver from north London — you don’t get any more blue-collar London Jewish than that. But with Amy you can’t miss it, when you see that name “Amy Winehouse,” whether she likes it or not, she’s riding hard for the tribe. I think she didn’t really grow up that religious, but like I said before, the people who identify with the cultural aspects of Judaism without the other stuff — there is this shared sense of humor, self-deprecation and things. She’s kind of one of those. I wouldn’t have to know her last name to figure out that she’s Jewish after talking to her for ten minutes.

AL: What do you think about you and Amy both having these hits at the same time? It kind of makes me think of the game a few years ago when the Boston Red Sox had three Jewish players on the field at the same time.

MR: If I was fifteen, and I was starting producing, and there was a Jewish guy or girl making hit records, or a singer like Amy with an amazing voice, me and my friends would have found that cool and kind of looked up to that or found it slightly inspirational because it’s like with the ballplayers — you’re not really used to it because there are other stereotypes, that Jews aren’t supposed to be strong or athletic or whatever. There’s a lot of Jews on the business side, but not so many on the performing side. So that’s why you get excited when you find out about David Lee Roth or MC Serch, that these people are cultural heroes and you share something in common with them. And also, it is kind of an underdog thing in a way; we’re still a minority outside the entertainment world. I don’t know that I really look up to Adam Sandler more than I look up to Christopher Guest, but there is still some kind of pride that’s instilled in you.

AL: Were the Beastie Boys important as an inspiration to you? You would have been growing up in New York when Licensed to Ill was taking over the world.

MR: You know what’s funny is that Licensed to Ill was kind of too much for me. “Fight for Your Right” and that stuff, I just thought it was a bit too aggressive. But all my friends loved it, and they’d all sing “Girls” on the bus. “Paul Revere” I loved, that was amazing, but then when Paul’s Boutique came out, I was blown away, because I already liked stuff with grooves at that age, not so much just guitars and that kind of sound. And I loved 3rd Bass as well, and I also remember being a huge fan of Fear of a Black Planet, and feeling slightly guilty over the Chuck D line [in “Welcome to the Terrordome”] “Apology made to who ever pleases / Still they got me like Jesus.” I remember thinking it was so amazing sonically, it was like heavy metal to me but it was hip-hop, and then I remember listening to that line and thinking I was a bad Jew for listening to it over and over.

Even though they were so incredibly talented, there was something about the Beasties that made you feel like they could be you and your friends — because they did look like me and my friends, who mostly were, like, middle-class Jewish New Yorkers. They were quite obviously never that religious, or at least they definitely didn’t wear their religion on their sleeves; they just wore it heavily on their last names. But I remember meeting [manager/executive] Guy Oseary one time when I was like sixteen — and he’s heavily into it, he did the Jews Who Rock book, he’s into having big seders in Hollywood and all that — and he told me no, they aren’t
really religious at all. And I remember I got really upset for like two days. I don’t know why I got upset about that.

AL: If your Jewish identity is as important to you as you say, there must be some way in which that affects the work. Directly or not, doesn’t it have to have some sort of impact on your music?

MR: There are definitely personality traits that I can trace between both — like the sense of duty in the religion also translates to an over-diligent work ethic. But I’m not sure if one is influenced by the other, or if it’s just something in my brain that affects both of those things in the same way.

It’s not like I have a problem with rappers using blasphemy over my beats, and it’s not like when I’m sitting here in the studio that I feel some kind of higher power going through me, divine inspiration or whatever.

I do think there’s certainly something very egoless in the religion, and I think that’s something that’s a part of my music. The fact that when I’m working with an artist, when I was working with Amy, it was like “what do you want your record to sound like?” I love the Neptunes and producers like that, but it’s not like I’ve got to have my signature snare in the sound, like it’s a Mark Ronson record so I’ve got to try to get my thing in there. What I’m doing is more like that classic sixties sense of the producer, where you’re there to facilitate and arrange and make the songs sound the best they can, as opposed to modern production, which has become about making sure that you put your stamp on it.

AL: My own feeling has always been that if you’re raised with an awareness of slavery and oppression, it’s a lot easier to accept the sentiments of hip-hop. Not to make it a suffering contest, but it’s a big hurdle to be able to say, “OK, I get it, so tell me more.”

MR: It is, but that also goes against this very English trait that if there’s any struggle, all right, so what, we’ve all had struggles, let’s just move on. There’s this English and Australian mentality of, we’ve all been through a lot of shit and so what? So I don’t know if that’s something that’s different about American Judaism.

But it is always easier to relate to someone else’s struggle when you don’t feel like a complete bystander, if you can see something of yourself in it or relate, even though the two experiences are so completely different.

AL: A feeling of empathy.

MR: Beyond even empathy, that kind of thing like “I deserve to be able to listen to this” — like when you’re thirteen and you want to be able to listen to “rebel music,” whether it’s Bob Marley or hip-hop or whatever, if you feel like, well I’ve been wronged, too, it makes you feel like you’re a little bit more in the music as opposed to just listening to the beat or the melody. You feel a bit like you deserve to share in the anger. It makes you feel a little bit more badass. &

We were quite busy at the conference, doing everything from a Friday Night Fabrengen to a Melavah Malkah to a large, plugged-in on-stage performance to mystical text and Torah study to teaching five year-olds how to beat box.

We also had the blessing to meet and mingle with some amazing lights of the Jewish world — filmmaker Pearl Gluck, Israeli pop icon Kobi Oz, mystical mench Rabbi Simon Jacobson, radical non-dual polymath Jay Michaelson, arts & culture maven Joel Stanley, Jewish rockers Naomi Less and Glenn Grossman… not to forget David “The Hoff” Hoffman.

Thank G!D, Darshan was extremely well received — from the youths and teenagers to the elders and scholars of the conference. It seemed like everyone had a different angle that they viewed Darshan through that enabled them to appreciate what we were doing. Some people liked to be heavily involved in our sessions through chanting and singing along; others enjoyed the acoustic and contemplative performances where they were really able to listen to the lyrics and take it all in; still others (mostly the youngsters) were ecstatic over the big loud large scale performance/dance party set… which by the way was capped off with about 10-15 new Darshan fans who had already memorized some of our lyrics coming up on stage and singing with us… truly a heavenly choir!

We finished off the week with a slot in the Closing Gala Event (thank you Cool Jew Lisa Klug) where we played an acoustic version of our new and unrecorded Darshan song “Raysheet” with the ancient Hebrew and contemporary English lyrics projected above us in a beautiful auditorium, in front of over 1,000 captivated Yids.

All in all, Limmud UK was an amazing experience, truly mind-expanding and heart-opening; one of those rare slices of the human drama that leaves us feeling hopeful and amazed by human promise and potential. Thank you England and thank you Limmud! G!D Bless….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Pick up your copy of Darshan’s "Lishmah" album!
"Harmonizing Hebrew chant with hip hop, folk rock with electro-pop, love poetry with kabbalistic psychology, Darshan is a unique and organic weave of world wisdom traditions and modern musical styles. Recommended if you like; Postal Service, Bjork, The Beasties Boys & The Beatles." CLICK TO BUY NOW

- Prodezra

download the mp3 here.
and tracklistin below:

The Black Eyed Peas - BOOM BOOM POW
Lady Gaga - POKER FACE
Lady Gaga Featuring Colby O’Donis - JUST DANCE
The Black Eyed Peas - I GOTTA FEELING
Taylor Swift - LOVE STORY
Flo Rida - RIGHT ROUND
Jason Mraz - I’M YOURS
Beyonce - SINGLE LADIES (PUT A RING ON IT)
Kanye West - HEARTLESS
The All-American Rejects - GIVES YOU HELL
Taylor Swift - YOU BELONG WITH ME
T.I. Featuring Justin Timberlake - DEAD AND GONE
The Fray - YOU FOUND ME
Kings Of Leon - USE SOMEBODY
Keri Hilson Featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo - KNOCK YOU DOWN
Jamie Foxx Featuring T-Pain - BLAME IT
Pitbull - I KNOW YOU WANT ME (CALLE OCHO)
T.I. Featuring Rihanna - LIVE YOUR LIFE
Soulja Boy Tell ‘em Featuring Sammie - KISS ME THRU THE PHONE
Jay Sean Featuring Lil Wayne - DOWN
Miley Cyrus - THE CLIMB
Drake - BEST I EVER HAD
Kelly Clarkson - MY LIFE WOULD SUCK WITHOUT YOU
Beyonce - HALO
Katy Perry - HOT N COLD

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Pick up your copy of Darshan’s "Lishmah" album!
"Harmonizing Hebrew chant with hip hop, folk rock with electro-pop, love poetry with kabbalistic psychology, Darshan is a unique and organic weave of world wisdom traditions and modern musical styles. Recommended if you like; Postal Service, Bjork, The Beasties Boys & The Beatles." CLICK TO BUY NOW

The album gets off to an amazing start with the busy, bouncy “DooDoo.” Kosha Dillz’s confident rhymes sit right in the pocket of Belief’s production and the hook is a memorable and fun romp. Dillz keeps the rhymes playful but his pure rhyming talent bolsters the humor. Next up is, “LA Ish,” and while it’s a bit of a sharp turn in sound, Dillz offers his sarcastic observations on Los Angeles life in his own way. “Fat Love” is an early letdown considering the strong start. The production isn’t horrible but Kosha’s attempt at portraying the ladies man crash lands with immediacy. By the time the hook comes around, the listener would wisely skip the track. The LP returns back to form with the excitable “Dilly Wonka.” Kosha matches Belief’s nearly eerie but moving production with ease, with rhymes that border on otherworldly. The hook brings everything together into a neat, tight package. “Cellular Phone” is funky but it doesn’t provide the best platform for Kosha Dillz’s steady rhymes. The track mostly drones on although Kosha valiantly delivers his verses – the hook is a small redeeming feature.

“Bubble Gum Pop” is so out of place production wise on this album, it makes it stand out in the best of ways. The track sounds tailor made for a much more visible artist than Kosha Dillz but not only does the MC sound at home on the track, he complete owns it. The sarcastic, fun-poking sensibilities of the rapper are on full display with this. The album comes to a fitting close with “kal ha kavad lirkod” – which has Kosha Dillz employing the Hebrew language prominently in the song. The reggae-tinged number keeps things moving and Kosha even manages to inject plenty of homage to his homeland and lineage. In one of the more surprising releases of the year, Kosha Dillz never appears to take himself too seriously and that’s a good thing. The production is mostly strong and doesn’t detract at all from the MC’s overall aim – definitely a solid release for the fall.

- D.L. Chandler original article, here.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Pick up your copy of Kosha Dillz’s "Beverly Dillz" album!
"an uptempo, synthesized introduction to a spiritual fast life of the Hollywood underground via Garden State perspective, sprinkled with a touch of unorthodox "kosher" heritage and culture." CLICK TO BUY NOW

As a hip hop listener in Israel your options, up until not too long ago, were pretty limited. These days we are seeing more sides of the Israeli hip hop scene coming to the front of the stage. One group that’s taking over the radio waves lately is Takhles (Hebrew slang equivalent to “on the real”), which is an acronym for “Give Respect to The Homie”. Takhles became very popular with the Israeli crowd due to their laid back, super cool, funky style. Combining smooth flow with funny punch lines has worked out very well for the group members, who have been performing all over the Holy Land.

Takhles consists of three members; Ilia Man, Nache, and Extra. These talented young artists have been writing lyrics since early 2000. They started as solo artists and came together in 2005 after extra’s former group has fallen apart. Back in 2005, the group members have also joined the IDF for their mandatory military service. They used their off time to work on a mixtape, and after two years the hard work has paid off. “Takhles and The Homies are Proud to present: Yalla” was born. The mixtape featured some of the hottest up and coming artist such as Peled and Ortega (check our Breakdown # 1) , Lukach, Noa Faran, and Nechi nech. To celebrate the album release, a big party was held in Tel Aviv featuring many guest appearances. It turned into a big success.

Nowadays, after being released from the army, the group has decided to step up their game and get into the studio with the respected and valued producer Gad Baruch. After months of work, the album was done. They titled the album “Lo Nora”, or in English, “Never Mind” .The first single “Lo Nora” was released and created a big buzz across the Hip hop community in Israel and made it to the radio. The second single “If I had a shekel” was released soon after and became an instant hit. A tour across Israel was soon to follow. The Album is expected to be released early 2010, and considering the fact that these guys are doing it all without a record label is very impressive. You can ask any hip hop listener in Israel about these dudes. They will all tell you the same thing; Takhles always provides fresh, fun, good vibe music. It seems like this is just the beginnings for Takhles, and if they keep going in this pace its only a question of time before we see them performing hits here in the US.

Check out Takhles for yourself and show them some support:

Facebook / Myspace / Website

- Mor “Morpheum” Ben-Shimon, dJOoKRoO

Links:
Lipa doing Britney’s 1,2,3
Lipa doing the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Got a Feeling”

p.s. Photos from the night coming soon! Check back here!

Grab Eprhyme & Kosha’s albums now on sale and get a 3rd album all for the price of ONE!!!
click to bit.ly/holidaysale

* To check out which other artists, authors and musicians made it in the top 5ive, click here.

The power of a Woman’s voice?

Rinat Gutman is a rapper. based in Jerusalem, she’s a tireless performer, extremely talented, very entertaining and committed to her craft. She’s also a practicing Orthodox Jewess. In a field full of men, like , and almost everyone associated with , she stands out as lone female voice sanctifying Judaism through rap. But there’s a problem and the problem is called Kol Isha, literally “the sound of a woman’s voice.”

There has been a massive discussion on about this issue, generating over 70 comments - about an incident that occurred when he was last in Israel a few weeks ago and had occasion to perform with Rinat at a jam in Mayanot, a Chabad run educational center. Rinat got up to rap and a few minutes later was asked (politely) to get off the stage by the supervising Rabbi. My comment in that thread is after the bump. Discuss!

In any case, we fully plan, God willing, on having Rinat perform at the . If you want to check it out, get your tickets today!

now for the article: Song, Dance and Oud at the Fifth Annual Sephardic Music Festival
By Jordana Horn

In comparison with some forms of Sephardic culture, Ashkenazic Judaism can come out looking as bland as a gefilte fish that’s lost its horseradish. Not to belittle klezmer, Yiddish or, has v’halila, a good matzo ball, but the inflections of Spanish and Ottoman culture in Sephardic arts render the ordinary exotic for the majority of American Jews who are Ashkenazic, like me. The opportunity to engage with Sephardic culture, whether you’re Ashkenazic, Sephardic or not Jewish at all, is a chance to revel in the polychromatic nature of the Jewish Diaspora.

The fifth annual Sephardic Music Festival, held in New York from December 12 to December 19, provided one such opportunity. With concerts ranging from virtuoso Yair Dalal’s traditional, classical oud to Electro Morocco’s Middle Eastern-inflected dance beats to Pharaoh’s Daughter’s folk rock, the festival represented the diversity of Sephardic culture.

The opening night was packed with Ashkenazim at the 92nd Street Y’s downtown performance space in Tribeca. Three strong female performers headlined the event: Galeet Dardashti, Sarah Aroeste and Smadar Levi.

To throw a little Yiddishism into the Sephardic mix, Dardashti comes to the stage bearing ample musical yikhes (lineage). Her grandfather was a prominent Persian classical music singer in Iran, and her father is a renowned cantor. Dardashti, however, is the first woman in her family to assume a place on the mantle of professional musical performers.

Her current work explores ideas of femininity: “The Naming” is an acoustic and electronic examination of previously unsung (pun intended) women in the Bible. The project, supported by a Six Points Fellowship and a Hadassah-Brandeis Institute Fellowship, includes songs, short monologues/verbal epigraphs, computer art and dance, all in a veritable stew of sensory provocations.

Perhaps not surprisingly, some of these provocations are more effective than others. Dardashti’s voice is exemplary, floating into earthy and nasal tones seamlessly, as called for by her Near Eastern style of music. Her stage presence is commanding, as well: She is in charge of her material, and although she stands off to the side, she is very much at the center. Dardashti’s music could easily stand on its own. In choosing to share the stage with dancers, visual art and other musicians, as well as textual sources, however, she occasionally courts the danger of overkill.

Dardashti’s short discourses involved women’s roles in the Bible and their implications for the roles played by modern women in today’s society. The most poignant moment involved women and tefillin: Women are not obligated to wear tefillin, Dardashti noted, because their time should be taken up by children rather than by prayer. Then, she asked, what of modern women who have no children? Her take on Vashti (another prominent biblical woman) as being emblematic of modern Iranians who dare to challenge injustice may have been a bit of a reach. This analogy sounds good, but surely there’s a difference between refusing to perform a spontaneous pole dance for the ruler of Persia and having the Iranian election stolen.

Dardashti also told a story about the Queen of Sheba’s famed love affair with King Solomon, and discussed it as a rare breed of intimacy between a powerful woman and a powerful man. Sheba’s legs, Dardashti said, were profoundly hairy — a testament to her power. While Solomon didn’t seem fazed by the power thing, the hair issue apparently rubbed him the wrong way. At his insistence, Sheba shaved her legs, and all was well with their romantic world. Dardashti wondered aloud if women’s leg hair and power are synonymous. Allow me to cast my vote for “no.” One is left to wonder: Does that mean that men who prefer women’s shaven legs to hairy ones have the Wisdom of Solomon? Other elements of Dardashti’s performance were not as engaging. The imagery used during the performance, of such classical images as the Lion of Judah and interwoven Hebrew text, was more backdrop than provocation, but perhaps that was by design. On the comparatively small stage of the downtown 92nd Street Y, however, Dardashti’s three dancers seemed as though they were squeezed on with a shoehorn, their movements cramped by the lack of space, rendering them a distraction rather than an attraction.

A few nights later, in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn, the internationally acclaimed composer, violinist, oud (an ancient instrument dating from the seventh century in what is now northern Iran) player and singer Yair Dalal took to a small, dimly lit stage. Dalal has played to great acclaim all over the world, including at the Lincoln Center and at the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony, but he seemed somewhat out of place at Brooklyn’s Union Hall, a venue better known for locavore hipsters downing pints and playing boccie than for virtuosic classical music performances.

In fact, the indoor boccie court was in full operation during Dalal’s set, punctuating his fingerpicking with rolling sounds, like distant applause or retreating thunder.

Dressed all in white, Dalal seemed like a figure from another world in the darkened basement of Union Hall. But when he began to play the violin in his first piece, accompanied by only one percussionist, that other world brought forth an entire orchestra from two people and four hands. Dalal opening with the violin rather than the oud was, in my opinion, a strategic shot across the non-Sephardic bow. His music doesn’t simply use the violin, it appropriates it from its “Fiddler on the Roof”/Chagall associations, making it convey the haunting sounds of the desert.

Dalal’s virtuosity in both classical and Arabic music was readily evident in his performance. The audience members, a diverse mix of everything from African-American hipsters to black-hatted Chabadniks, from knit-yarmulke-wearing hippies to older secular Israelis, were absolutely silent as they watched him play the oud, notes emerging from the complex instrument.

Similar to the lute, the oud is markedly difficult to play in that, unlike a guitar, it has no frets. Each person who plays it, then, inevitably makes his or her own imprint of sound without spatial guidance. Dalal played it as easily as he moved his hands over its strings. The oud is an instrument that requires complementary degrees of confidence and faith: confidence in terms of sure movement of the fingers, and faith in terms of where to place those fingers. Dalal’s stage presence emanates both confidence and faith, but does so without words. He did not banter with his audience, opting to keep them at a remove and allow his fingers and voice to dominate.

His hour-long set included such works as a pared-down version of “Ya Ribon Olam,” the famed Jewish liturgical melody. At one point, Dalal played and sung what might be termed a nigun — a wordless melody. Nigunim are more conventionally used in Ashkenazic music, with melodies that, even if previously unheard, immediately seem familiar to a listener with Eastern European roots. But Dalal’s melody was utterly unfamiliar: a simple infusion of the exotic, and, like the entire festival, a simple reminder of how, in the right hands, the exotic can become extraordinary.

Jordana Horn is a lawyer and writer at work on her first novel.

original article at - www.forward.com/articles/121557

Visit sephardicmusicfest.com for more info and to read up on some of the press the Festival received, inlcuding coverage and features from Yediot Achronot, The New Yorker, The Times, The Jerusalem Post, Time Out and much more….

p.s. Videos are now up at youtube.com/shemspeed

The party is going down, rain/snow or moonlight shine. It is this Saturday night, in a warehouse in Williamsburg/Green Point and will go until 6AM!!!!

Just a reminder, if you RSVP, or bring your Matisyahu ticket stub, you get in for only $5

THIS SATURDAY NIGHT
• BALGAN BOOGALOO (Closing Night for the Sephardic Music Fest Warehouse Party!)
with DJs Diwon and Tesly Snipes
@ 171 Lombardy
171 Lombardy St, Greenpoint/Brooklyn, NY 11222
10:30pm till 6am | $8 | 18+
(RSVP to get in for only $5 / limit two names per email address / email: rsvp@shemspeed.com)
expect special guest Shemspeed artists throughout the night.
info at www.sephardicmusicfestival.com/events

oh, and remember for Xmas eve - Dec 24th we are throwing a big show at Brooklyn Bowl - say DeScribe & Diwon at the door. Info here - www.brooklynbowl.com/event-detail/?id=2881

2. Kosha Dillz “L.A. Ish”
(to the left)
1. Eprhyme joined by Diwon - “Papason”
(click to view)
2. DeScribe & Y-Love “Make It”
(click to view)

Photos of the event are at the Shemspeed Flickr.

Also, Tonight at Joe’s Pub Electro Morocco and Diwon will be throwing a killer show and Saturday night is the party of the century - the massive Balagan Boogaloo Warehouse Party from 10:30pm - 6am!!! Only 5 bucks with an rsvp, (email rsvp@shemspeed.com)

This and more as part of 2009’s Sephardic Music Festival!

Visit www.sephardicmusicfestival.com/events for all details.

p.s. we got photos from all the past nights at bit.ly/sephardicphotos

You know what else is part of the fest? TONIGHT (12/16) - Pharaoh’s Daughter, DeLeon, & Eytan with Dreams in Static at the new Knitting Factory. Then Tomorrow night at Joe’s Pub by Electro Morocco and Diwon and Saturday night is the party of the century - the massive Balagan Boogaloo Warehouse Party from 10:30pm - 6am!!! Only 5 bucks with an rsvp, (email rsvp@shemspeed.com)

This and more as part of 2009’s Sephardic Music Festival!

Visit www.sephardicmusicfestival.com/events for all details.

The festival continues throughout the week - Tonight is the Scholar Series at the Center for Jewish History, and this Wednesday, Pharaoh’s Daughter, DeLeon, & Levi Mordechai perform at the new Knitting Factory, on Thursday during the day we have the Shemspeed Rappers performing a Free In Store performances at Best Buy at Union Square and in the in the eve we got a live set at Joe’s Pub by Electro Morocco and Diwon and on Saturday night is the party of the century - the massive Balagan Boogaloo Warehouse Party from 10:30pm - 6am!!! Only 5 bucks with an rsvp, (email rsvp@shemspeed.com)

This and more as part of 2009’s Sephardic Music Festival!

Visit www.sephardicmusicfestival.com/events for all details.

Don’t forget, as part of the Festival we have a different show every night in NYC ending on Dec 19th with a closing night warehouse Balagan Boogaloo party till 6am!!!!!
rsvp for that asap and get in for only $5 rsvp@shemspeed.com

info on every single night is at www.sephardicmusicfestival.com

Facebook Event

* For the full schedule, times and locations, visit http://sephardicmusicfestival.com

INFO ON HOW TO GET IT ALL FREE:

1. Win tickets to each night of the Matisyahu & Sephardic Music Festival Shows
- click here (still got a couple hours)

2. XM RADIO CHANUKAH SHOW with Y-Love & Diwon
- Free Download

3. Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah - Diwon Vs. Erran Baron Cohen
- Free Download

4. “Maoz Tzur” - Dov Rosenblatt, Deena Goodman, and Rosi Golan
- Free Download

5. “Life of the Party” by VokCal. (check back in a couple hours for the link!)

p.s. If you do want to throw down some gelt, Shemspeed is having a 3 for the price of 1 sale on all their CDs and Downloads click to http://bit.ly/holidaysale for that one!

Brooklyn Bowl’s First Annual
Matzah Bowl! - Inaugural Tribal Music Festival

DESCRIBE
SIX POINT STAR
DIWON
DOV AND GUESTS
and
introducing Mike Kinkade of Kinkade LA!
plus Days Like Months
Pey Dalid

NOTE: Describe & Diwon hit at 11pm
(At the door tell them your there to see DeScribe & Diwon!)

Thursday, December 24th

Doors 6:00pm / Show 8:15pm

18 and Over

(Don’t forget to say DeScribe & Diwon when you get to the door)

Event info Here / Facebook Events Here

What does this all mean?

There are no guarantees in anything with life, especially the music business. My suggestion is go for it, at least that way you won’t have as many regrets you will have anyways. I took a 230 dollar flight and managed to play in front of 25,000 people.

And now I’m in Taylor, Michigan bowling. A game vs myself. Rami vs Kosha. Kosha won 121-116 ! It was a close one.

BTW, Beverly Dillz album is out now!

Xo
Kosha

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Pick up your copy of Kosha Dillz’s "Beverly Dillz" album!
"an uptempo, synthesized introduction to a spiritual fast life of the Hollywood underground via Garden State perspective, sprinkled with a touch of unorthodox "kosher" heritage and culture." CLICK TO BUY NOW

Shemspeed.com will be giving away Matisyahu tickets for each of his upcoming NY shows, along with tickets to the 5th Annual Sephardic Music Festival. With tickets to 17 shows, Shemspeed has got the perfect Chanukah gift for you and a friend!

The Matisyahu Festival of Light Tour will begin at Webster Hall (Dec 10, 12, 13, 14) and continue on to Williamsburg’s Music Hall (Dec 16, 17, 19, 20) - for more info kindly check out - matisyahuworld.com/tour

The annual Sephardic Music Festival will take place Dec 12th - 19th all over New York and all info could be found at sephardicmusicfestival.com

You could catch a Matisyahu show one night and then check out one of the SMF shows another night, for one of those classic Jamaican/dancehall/ Mediterranean/Ladino ethnomusicological Chanukah experiences. Who said Chanukkah couldn’t be the most eclectic Jewish musical explosion ever?!

HOW DO YOU WIN TICKETS?

To be eligible to win tickets, email tickets@shemspeed.com with “Shemspeed Chanukah”, in the subject. In the body of the email, include your name and which show (i.e. Sephardic Music Fest or Matisyahu) and which night you would like to attend. 4 lucky winners per night will be chosen. (One show request per email - we will announce the winners by Dec 9th)

* poster design by Yossi @ yossigraphicdesign.com
* for more info on the giveaway click to shemspeed.com/chanukah

1. The Glass Bead Game (6:46)
2. Same Old Beat (3:32)
3. FlyButter feat. Hieronymous (9:26)
4. Aurora (3:10)
5. Synthaesthesia (6:57)
6. Kleinzeit (5:32)

Download (archive.org)
Download (rapidshare.com)

Don’t forget, you can check out Volume 1 of the Tour Journal, where Matisyahu performs “One Day” at Sultan’s Pool in Jerusalem, here. And you can check out Volume 2 here, and Volume 3 here.

Check JamBase soon for Volume 5 of the Matisyahu JamBase Tour Journal.

- Guy Emanuel

Then, we’ll hear from very spiritual, very gender-bending, hip hop electro pop diva Merril Nisker, aka Peaches. That’s right. Peaches has recorded with and influenced folks from Iggy Pop to Madonna. She’s a Yid from Toronto and she’s really not afraid to do or say anything. i.e.: If profanity is not your thing….Peaches is on tour with her new album I Feel Cream and Shtetl caught up with her before her show at Metropolis.

Last but not least, we’ll hear music from Montreal’s all-girl Yiddish band Di Heyse Yiddenes who are playing December 5th at Parc des Princes in Montreal. As well, as music from Pharoah’s Daughter, Electro Morocco, Yair Dalal, and Smadar, who are all performing at SMF this year!

There’s something for all tastes in the Shtetl this week.
So, If you are in Montreal, Tune In to:
Shtetl on the Shortwave
CKUT 90.3 FM in Montreal
1st&3rd Fridays of the month
11AM to 12PM
* If not, Stream/download archives HERE

- Tamara Kramer; Hostess

download here

Pick up the “Shir HaShirim” CD which was recorded with Diwon & Dugans of Dreams in Static (By Clicking Here).
and if you somehow don;t already have the Brody Vs. Akon “Lecha Dodi” remix (click here).

I now have two sons and a completed second LP.
I need to write a proper press release but seeing as how I meant to
email you a week ago,
I am going to shoot from the hip — hop!!”

On Nov 24 I will release my new opus THOUGHT BALLOON MUSHROOM CLOUD,
at first most likely exclusively at mcpaulbarman.com.
It includes collaborations with Michel Gondry, Questlove, MF DOOM,
Prince Paul, Masta Ace,
Del the Funky Homosapien, C-Rayz Walz, DMC turntable champ Casual-T
and my conceptual partner
and remix maestro Memory Man.

The cover is finished. The MC PAUL BARMAN reflects on the lyrics of BACK ON A WHITE HORSE.
The THOUGHT BALLOON MUSHROOM CLOUD converges the ten incarnations of Vishnu
with my life and this album. Each song title will have a similarly
styled illustrated letter form title
in a print-on-demand book I plan to release in conjunction with the album.

Thanksamill,
Paul B

GRAB THIS FREE DOWNLOAD OF “Hot Guacamole (ft. DOOM)”

Q: I remember going to Israel in 2003 or so and finding you guys at Barzilay, DJin a guest set and rappin about Hollertronix with you all… I was so surprised by how in tune to the American dance scene a group of DJs from Israel could be. It was like 2004 or something and you all already knew what Diplo was doing as he was doing it…How did you stay in touch with all these movements from little old Israel?

A: Well, now days with the internet it is both easier to hear new music and to expose your music to the remotest corners of the world.

Q: How does production and DJin work logistically with 4 people? Do ego’s get in the way? Are there diff roles (i.e. one person does breaks, the other is a melodic digger, the other engineering and so on?) or does everyone get down on all front and you choose which songs are the
strongest?

A: Since we are first and foremost friends for a long time ego is not really there…We all pretty much share the same musical tastes and on most parts rely on our own filters to know what’s good and what’s not. It usually starts from a basic idea some one has and we than start putting stuff on top of that.

Q: Who in the Israeli hip hop scene are you all into?

A: Axum, Peled, Ortega, Hadah Nahash, Tabbo+, Vulcan, Saz, Ruff, Soul-J, Nechi Nech, Bazooka, Coolooloosh. We think Ori Schohat is one hell of a producer too!

Q: Who in the American club scene are you into?

A: Too much too mention! Everybody who plays good bouncy music and keeps it interesting and diverse.

Q: How does Judaism play a role in Soulico, the music and the message?

A: It doesn’t. Israelism plays a much more important role in our music and influnces.

Q: What’s next?

A: We really don’t know…Were just Thankful for everything that happens now.

- Diwon

One Family

Stay tuned and click here, to view photos!

* be on the look out for the “Harmony” Video & Single in early 2010

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Pick up your copy of Kosha Dillz’s "Beverly Dillz" album!
"an uptempo, synthesized introduction to a spiritual fast life of the Hollywood underground via Garden State perspective, sprinkled with a touch of unorthodox "kosher" heritage and culture." CLICK TO BUY NOW

Check out “Attack & Release”, by The Black Keys, an album produced by, Shemspeed Fav, Danger Mouse. According to an interview in Pitchfork Media, “Attack & Release” was the product of what was originally going to be a record with Ike Turner, but the idea was rendered impossible with Turner’s death in December 2007.

To pre-order the Blakroc CD which drops at the end of the month, click here.

- BROOKLYN BOWL 61 WYTHE AVENUE BROOKLYN, NY 11211 (718) 963-3369

Now for some info: “Reporting from Las Vegas - Rabbinical student Yuri Foreman became the first Israeli fighter to win a world boxing championship when he scored a shocking and one-sided decision over Puerto Rican Daniel Santos in a WBA super-welterweight title fight Saturday night on the Miguel Cotto-Manny Pacquiao undercard at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Foreman (28-0, 8 knockouts) knocked Santos (32-4-1, 23 KOs) down in the second round, had him pinned against the ropes in the third then appeared to hurt the champion with a flurry of punches near the end of the fourth round.

Santos made a final desperate charge in the 12th and final round, knowing he needed a knockout to win. But he was far too weary by then, stumbling to the canvas again with less than a minute left in the fight.

Foreman was one of five fighters who took unblemished records into the undercard and came out with victories.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., son of the legendary Mexican champion extended his record to 41-0-1 with a unanimous decision over Troy Rowland (25-3) of Grand Rapids, Mich., in a 10-round middleweight contest

Rowland was fighting with a heavy heart — his brother Shane, in a Michigan hospital, was placed in a medically induced coma this month with the H1N1 virus.

In the first televised bout on the undercard, Tustin’s Alfonso Gomez won something called the WBC Continental Americas welterweight title in an abbreviated bout against Mexican Jesus Soto-Karass.

An accidental butt to the right eye in the third round left Gomez bleeding heavily, leading ringside doctors to stop the fight at two minutes 41 seconds of the sixth round of what was scheduled to be a 10-round bout. Because the fight had gone more than half its scheduled distance, the bout went to the scorecards and the judges gave Gomez (21-4-2, 10 KOs) a unanimous decision. Soto-Karass fell to 24-4-3 with 16 KOs.

Earlier in the night, hard-punching Russian middleweight Matt Korobov added to his already impressive resume with a dominant six-round win over James Winchester of Reidsville, N.C.

Although Korobov (8-0, 6 KOs) couldn’t knock Winchester out, going the distance for just the second time as a pro, the stylish left-hander was able to knock Winchester’s mouthpiece into the first row with a sweeping punch midway through the third round.

Winchester is 10-3 with 3 KOs.

Santa Ana’s Rodrigo Garcia also remained unbeaten at 5-0 with a one-sided decision over Martin Vierra of Phoenix in a six-round super-welterweight fight. Vierra fell to 5-3-1.

Richie Mepranum of the Philippines won an unpopular split decision over Ernie Marquez of Fort Morgan, Colo., in an entertaining six-round matchup of junior-lightweights.

Mepranum (15-2-1, 3 KOs) scored the only knockdown of the fight, dropping Marquez in the second round. But that punch only served to wake up Marquez, who was the aggressor for most of the final four rounds. Marquez (9-6-2) finished the fight bleeding heavily from a cut above his right eye and when the decision was announced, it was greeted by a chorus of boos from the crowd.

The only other Filipino on the undercard, Eden Sonsona, left no doubt in his bout, overwhelming Israeli Navy veteran Eilon Kedem from the opening bell en route to a second-round TKO win.

Sonsona (14-3, 4 KOs) knocked Kedem (9-2-4, 6 KOs) to the canvas with a left hook less than a minute into the first round and never let up, forcing referee Joe Cortez to step between the boxers and halt the fight 17 seconds into the second of what was scheduled to be a six-round bout.

In the first bout of the day, Abner Cotto, a second cousin to Puerto Rican champion Miguel Cotto, remained unbeaten with a unanimous decision over Lupe Guzman of Lubbock, Texas, in a six-round battle of lightweights.

Cotto is 5-0 with 3 KOs while Guzman fell to 3-5 with 2 KOs.”

by - Kevin Baxter for L.A. Times

grab em now at - www.bit.ly/holidaysale

Download the Beat Guide, here.

SABRA SESSIONS VOL. 1 is a high energy Israeli dance club hip hop influenced mix by Diwon, the American-Israeli DJ/Producer extraordinaire behind the Shemspeed label. The listener hears Diwon remixing, choppin up, slowing down, speeding up, and sampling all types of sounds to create a seamless mix of seemingly disjointed tracks that sound like Israel landed on top of Daft Punk & M.I.A.’s studio. “Sabra Sessions” is a mixtape I was driven to do,” commented Diwon, “where I remixed, chopped, and sped up Israeli and Hebrew music to the style of Baltimore and Miami club music and beyond.”

The Sabra Sessions makes for a festive and energetic blend into Israeli culture, Hebrew music, and the sounds that move people to dance floors worldwide. Enjoy it and feel free to blast it to your emails, blogs, facebook groups, twitters…and all.

* here’s the link for blastin - www.shemspeed.com/downloadit/sabra

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS

with performances by DeScribe, Most Hated, DJ Balagan, Tahani Salah, beat boxer J. Stone, Dash Speaks, TJ Di Hitmaker, NSR and a special DJ set by Electro Morocco.

* more info at http://shemspeed.com/sulha

Now for a free download of the albums second single, “L.A. Ish” and some info on the album:

Beverly Dillz, his solo red carpet debut LP, was recorded entirely in the Beverly Hillz section of Los Angeles, while the lyrics were composed at various overpriced coffee houses and internet cafes through out the city. A frequent maker of history, Kosha Dillz will attest to rhyme the first song in Hebrew on an American indie album, “Kol Ha Kavod Lirkod (its all good to dance)”. And for those who don’t speak Hebrew, songs like “Dilly Wonka” and “LA Ish” will keep you dancing from the happy go -rich lounges of any US city to the pretty sides of your local dive bar, any day of the week.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Pick up your copy of Kosha Dillz’s "Beverly Dillz" album!
"an uptempo, synthesized introduction to a spiritual fast life of the Hollywood underground via Garden State perspective, sprinkled with a touch of unorthodox "kosher" heritage and culture." CLICK TO BUY NOW

Record Club: Velvet Underground & Nico ‘Sunday Morning’ For this first/original edition of Beck’s Record club and after lengthy deliberation and coming close to covering Digital Underground’s Sex Packets, all present, at the club, voted in favor of the ‘other’ Underground’s The Velvet Underground & Nico. Participants included at the time were Nigel Godrich, Joey Waronker, Brian Lebarton, Bram Inscore, Yo, Giovanni Ribisi, Chris Holmes, and from Iceland, special guest Thorunn Magnusdottir, and Beck himself. Big ups to everyone who helped put this together, and to all of you for indulging in the Record Club experiment.

- Guy Emanuel

p.s. check the beck.com/recordclub for some Leonard Cohen goodness.

- Guy Emanuel

p.s. get your Shabs grind on with this Israeli Hip Hop Remix:

There were a lot of skull caps and ball caps there to hear Matisyahu. Matis switched from a yankee cap to a skull cap midway through his performance. He sang some favorite melodies from Stubbs like “King Without a Crown” and “Lord Rise Me Up” and “Time of Your Song.” The crowd erupted when he chanted “Jerusalem,” and he did some songs from his new album “Light.” The song “One Day” won’t leave my head Check it here.

Matis brought up Mc Kosha Dillz, rockin a fur hat, to perform a song and a freestyle. Kosha’s boisterous style complimented Matis’s rythmic reggaetone, the two are a nice double act. Kosha is on tour with Matis and has a new cd out as well, “Freestyle vs Written,” with C-Rayz Walz. He freestyled for the crowd throwing in Chicago sport team lyrics to boost the energy and brought a kid on stage to rap about him. He’s a hungry and eager mc who gets around with Kosha skillz. Check his stuff out http://www.myspace.com/koshadillz, and you can read his blog here http://www.koshadillzworld.com/.

Trevor Hall, Matisyahu and his band, and Kosha Dillz was a fire show. They are on tour now, get tickets while you still can!”

- check the original article, here.

pick up Kosha Dillz’s “Beverly Dillz” album now HERE (hits stores next tuesday!)

One of the leading names of the new generation of rappers in Israel is Ortega. Yehonatan Yehudaee A.K.A Ortega is one of the hottest names in the scene these days. Ortega first popped into the scene in 2004 after winning a freestyle battle competition. His fast flow and punch lines captured the audiences’ attention, and quickly brought him to recognition by radio and TV personals. Since then, Ortega has worked with the top of the Israeli hip hop food chain, performing all over Israel, and even touring the US. He has become a regular in making guest appearances for known artists, and many hip hop radio shows. Check out one of his latest appearances on the radio performing live with the talented Noa Faran her song “Words by order”. (see above to the left)

After taking part in many different projects, Ortega has decided to bring his own flavor to the streets. Just few weeks ago, the Hertselia native has released his first solo mix tape “4:47”. “4:47” which stands for the time to wake up, contains eleven tracks that show more of a mature side of Ortega. The mix tape is independently released and produced by Ortega with the help of Borgor, Michael Cohen, and DJ Mesh. Most of the hard copies printed are already gone, but do not to worry “4:47” will be available online for a free download soon. Until then here are some free songs from the mix tape available for download;

http://www.sendspace.com/file/8mtova

http://www.sendspace.com/file/zkhja5

http://www.sendspace.com/file/iry93y

You can also check out Ortega’s youtube.com page for some videos of him in action; http://www.youtube.com/PRTkabinet

Be on the lookout for our next edition of The Breakdown with dJOoKRoO, as we dig in deeper into the Israeli hip hop scene. From the West coast of the United States to the heart of Israel, we will bring you all the music updates in the Israeli hip hop game.

For more Hebrew hip hop song click here;

To download dJOoKRoO - Taim Laozen (the mixtape), click here.

To download Diwon - Sabra Sessions Vol. 1 (the mixtape), click here.

- Mor “Morpheum” Ben-Shimon, dJOoKRoO

More than 60 Jews, who were among the last few hundred living in Yemen, have been resettled in the New York suburbs, according to representatives of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society and the Jewish Federations of North America.

Word leaked in the Israeli media last March that the two groups were working with the U.S. State Department and the government of Yemen to help Jews leave the country after a spike in intimidation and violence against the Jews, including the murder of a communal leader.

The stories appeared to be fueled by complaints from the Jewish Agency for Israel that some of the Yemenites were taken to the United States instead of Israel.

To hear what Yemenite tradition sounds like flipped over a Diwon style, check this Hennah song with Miriam Zafri.

read more at: JTA or the Wall Street Journal.

- Guy Emanuel

Download the exclusive outtakes (HERE)

Click here to download a little piece of the mix

* Click here to Buy the CD

TO LISTEN, CLICK HERE

YNet piece, here.

Hip Hop Sulha

Nov 11th at SOBs

204 Varick Street

Doors open 8pm

$10 in advance, $12 at the door

Buy tickets here because they’re going fast!

- Farrah

* additional info at shemspeed.com/sulha

Here is blog numero uno: “freestyling is someting not everyone can do. Luckily, people say Hashem has blessed me with the realness in a gift that not many can do. While I look at people who recite torah prayers as  a person..in awe….I consider them genius. But for me on the other hand it comes natural with my craft. After studying it for so long all the time and practicing all day, I realize people all have their calling.
 
Today I missed my flight so you are recieving this via the phx airport. I’ll be on the entire tour with Matisyahu besides the Canada dates and new orleans/birmingham alabama for I will be out in Portland rocking a conference called NACA, in hopes of earning some big college shows.
I realize i will continue to stay grounded out here…and prepare for these shows mentally with practice and study…each city is a new challenege I hope that you can all hear my music. I have the new album with me…so come say hi, and lets speak of the geniuses you know! I cant wait for boulder..
 
Shemspeed is the fam…so pre order it here too, while we excel to new heights (mile high) out in colorado.
 
shout!”

Here is the link to Pre-Order the “Beverly Dillz” album now! (Click Here)

and watch his “Cellular Phone” Music Video.

click below to see all the dates:

10.24.09 Kick gas Festival w/ Matisyahu
10.25.09 Marquee Theatre w/ Matisyahu
10.27.09 The Fillmore w/ Matisyahu
10.29.09 Peoples w/ Matisyahu
10.31.09 Pabst Theatre w/ Matisyahu
11.02.09 The Pageant w/ Matisyahu
11.03.09 House of Blues w/ Matisyahu
11.04.09 Univiersity of Illinois-Foelinger Auditorium
11.05.09 The Slowdown w/ Matisyahu
11.10.09 The Lincoln Theatre
11.11.09 Fillmore w/ Matisyahu
11.12.09 The Handlebar w/ Matisyahu
11.14.09 Music farm w/ Matisyahu
11.15.09 The Orange Peel w/ Matisyahu
11.16.09 Buster’s w/ Matisyahu
11.17.09 The Norva w/ Matisyahu
11.18.09 The National w/ Matisyahu
11.19.09 House of Blues w/ Matisyahu
11.21.09 Sonar (main) w/ Matisyahu
11.22.09 Palladium w/ Matisyahu
11.23.09 Higher Ground w/ Matisyahu
11.24.09 Northern Lights w/ Matisyahu
11.25.09 Sixth and I Historic Synagogue w/ Matisyahu
11.28.09 The Borgata w/ Matisyahu
12.01.09 Webster Theatre w/ Matisyahu
12.02.09 House of Blues w/ Matisyahu
12.03.09 Bogart’s w/ Matisyahu
12.07.09 St Andrews w/ Matisyahu
12.08.09 The Armory w/ Matisyahu

plus we have all the festival of lights shows in NYC…

The album’s mission statement is best articulated on the opening track, “Funny Accent Intro,” which opens by sampling instructional record Hopkins found in a thrift store. “Experts agree that everyone is born with a gift for languages. You have this gift,” a British-accented voice says, while Hopkins mixes in an Egyptian song and original beats. By the end of the track, we’ve heard a Yiddish clip from Shalom Dzigan, an Israeli comic. “Yiddish is important to me,” Hopkins explains. “The way it nurtured Jewish culture for so long but got cast to the wind after the war by so many people.”

* Download Now for Free

* Don’t forget to watch the video for “Hands Together”, click here.

Track Listing Below:

Funny Accent Intro
1 Milk and Honey feat. Gali Atari - Lady Sun
2 Mara Abrantes - Boi da Cara Branca
3 Alla Pugachova - Ustalost’
4 Nanette Workman - On M’a Dit
5 Balagan - Aiwa Aiwa
6 Ahmed Fakroun - Soleil Soleil
7 Margaret Singana - Hamba Bekile (Pass the Calabash)
8 Love Bug Starski - Live at the Disco Fever
9 Souad Abdullah - Unknown
10 Balagan - Hands Together
11 Grupo Bota - Papa Low Dos
12 DJ Kenny B - Club Tape
13 Furacao 2000 - Pitbicha
14 Sam Fan Thomas - Hello Wa
15 Cool Chip & Chuck Chillout - Rhythm is the Master
16 Ashwin Batish - New Delhi Vice
17 Yellow Magic Orchestra - Computer Games
18 Whiz Kid - He’s Got the Beat
19 Els Himma - Keskoo
20 Mya and the Mirror - Hesitation
21 Los Blue Caps - Dejame Mirarte

1. listen
2. listen
3. listen
4. listen

New electronica from the antipodes
(A big effing warehouse partywith fun beats and breaks)
Featuring frontline beatmakers:
Ronch (aka Ronch)
Symphytic (aka Amiel Zwier)
Maybee (aka Maya Zerman)
Blackbird (aka Daniel Harris)
w/special guests
it went down at
St Kilda Meatpacking District
35b Greeves Street, St Kilda

ch-ch-check the photos at flickr.com/shemspeed

- facebook invite

here is how the chorus went:
I’m a hip star
You’re a hip star
I’m a hip star
You’re a hip star
We do it. We go so hard.
And everywhere we go
people know who we are

(I’m just not so sure that will be the case anymore)
Love to my man, but I think it’s time to stop proving the Fugees thing and just move on.

- Guy Emanuel

p.s. we couldn’t film Praz…it just broke our hearts too much…we love his earlier work too much. But, we did film Diwon and Manny doing an MPC vs Live Drum Kit thing for Eprhyme, check it here.

we found this download link online. grab it now before it’s gone!

grab tix to the Shemspeed CMJ Showcase this Thursday night at shemspeed.com/cmj

- Erez Safar

p.s. we want some comments on this one (remember comments? yea. it’s so 90’s, but still!)

- facebook invite

The folks at Shemspeed are circulating a free “mixtape” (let’s pause for a moment to remember actual mix tapes… you know, the kind that involved tape? sigh…). Sorry, where was I? Oh yeah, Diwon has put together a soundtrack for your next middle-eastern-themed booty-shakin’ party and made it available for you to download for free. (Beware, it’s over 72 MB, so depending on your connection, it might take a while.) Here’s the PR language with the link for the download:

Grab a free download of “SABRA SESSIONS VOL. 1″, - a high energy Israeli dance club hip hop influenced mix by Diwon, the American-Israeli DJ/Producer extraordinaire behind the Shemspeed label. The listener hears Diwon remixing, choppin up, slowing down, speeding up, and sampling all types of sounds to create a seamless mix of seemingly disjointed tracks that sound like Israel landed on top of Daft Punk & M.I.A.’s studio. “Sabra Sessions” is a mixtape I was driven to do,” commented Diwon, “where I remixed, chopped, and sped up Israeli and Hebrew music to the style of Baltimore and Miami club music and beyond.” The Sabra Sessions makes for a festive and energetic blend into Israeli culture, Hebrew music, and the sounds that move people to dance floors worldwide. Enjoy it and feel free to blast it to your emails, blogs, facebook groups, twitters…and all.

Sabra Sessions FREE Download link: www.shemspeed.com/downloadit/sabra

Not ready to commit 72 MB of your hard drive? Diwon has also made available a selection of remixes of Jewish and Israeli music for you to sample on his website.

p.s. wanna blog about the mixtape, but don’t know how to do all the fancy blog coding? click here - http://shemspeed.com/sabra

- Erez Safar

Well, ch-ch-check this!
Edan is dropping a new record called Echo Party on Five Day Weekend. Stones Throw has a pre-order here. Here’s the info on the project: 

Edan was given access to the Traffic Ent. Group’s back catalog of old school rap - labels like Magic Records, Chocolate Star, P&P among others - and asked to create something new out of it, whatever he wanted. What began as a simple mixtape, two years later turned into a 30-min record of dance, rap and punk, utilizing everything from turntables, tape echo, guitar, moog and maybe even kazoos. He’s even going to hand-draw each LP cover. 

Seen above - the image with the red type with the guy in the bow tie - is the CD cover. The vinyl LP covers are going to be all white-tip on sleeves, like those old 60s records, with Edan stenciling, or stamping, or doing some kind of cover art to each one personally. There will be only 1000 made. 


- Erez Safar

here are their names (in case you wanna go nutz, build your who is who in the Jew velt database and add them all on facebook).

art
David Altmejd * Lisa Anne Auerbach * Keren Cytter * Daniel Gordon * Barak Marshall * Ceci Moss * Yael Reinharz * Joshua Seidner * Allison Schulnik * Nicholas Weist

music
Mica Levi * Julia Kugel * Ben Grubin * David Griffin * Deadmau5 * Kip Berman * Gabe Saporta * Molly Siegel and Jeremy Hyman * Peter Silberman * Aaron and Michael Weiss

fashion
Marina Albright * Alexei Hay * Julie Ghatan * Alexander Olch * Josh Peskowitz * Edina Sultanik * Louis Terline * Rebecca Turbow * Nina and Julia Werman * Maya Yogev

film/tv
Ry Russo Young * Rodney Rothman * Yoav Shamir * Robert Siegel * Rachel Grady * Paulo Costanzo * Gal Gadot * James Deen * Alexander Gould * Adam Busch

media
Deborah Berebichez * Jesse Brown * Starlee Kine * Ezra Klein * Amy Phillips * Laura Secor * Tracy Van Slyke * Sarah Waiser * Ray Wert * Josh Zepps

books
Yael Goldstein Love * Mara Altman * Amber Benson * Lisa Brown * Emily Nemens * Andrea Seigel * David Kramer * Matthew Aaron Goodman * Oran Canfield * Nathan Rabin

activism
Rachel Chertok * Joshua Cogan * Joe Green * Danny Moldovan * Lauree Hayden * Daron Joffe * Alissa Wise * Rebecca Shaloff * Rachel Silver * Richard Zimmerman

comedy
Rebecca Addelman * Lenora Claire * Moshe Kasher * Kenny vs. Spenny * Todd Levin * Trixie Minx * Dave Nadelberg * Cara Oshiver * Adam Shenkman * Elisha Yaffe

food
Noah Galuten * Lee Frank * Amanda Cohen * Audrey Bernstein * Nobu Adilman * Spike Mendelsohn * Sarah Levy * Avi Katz * Gary and Allison Jonas * Dave Herman

entrepreneurship
Ariel Garten * Michael Galpert * Dan Rollman * Tushy the Cat * Brook Lundy * Kristin Kline * Suzanne Grossman * Stephen Arbib * Max Lugavere and Jason Silva * Sam Lessin

more at http://www.heebmagazine.com/100

- Erez Safar

<>“Diwon’s dreamt up some surprising new material, and the crew at elsewhere was the first to hear it. In this exclusive first interview, we find out what led to his two latest records, “Serene Poetic” (download 3 of the singles for free) and “The Sabra Sessions” (download the mixtape for free). He’s still polishing it all to a mirror sheen to catch Tarantino’s eye, but liked what we heard…

After his stellar Australian debut with Y-Love earlier this year, Diwon’s been a busy, busy boy. Apart from his unenviable, gruelling tour schedule, and keeping up with Y-Love and his roster of Shemspeed artists, the DJ of diverse influences has been working on two very different projects – the cinematic Serene Poetic as Dreams in Static, with guitarist co-conspirator Dugans, and the super-cool Sabra Sessions, the sort of mixtape that plays in Diwon’s head.

ELSEWHERE: Serene Poetic is a major departure from your previous work – it’s more loungey, it’s relaxed and ethereal – but it still retains an essential Diwon sort of a beat: what have you and Dugans achieved with the record?

DIWON: The Diwon element is the consistency of layered drums and percussion, which finds its way through most of my work. The idea was to compose instrumental music that stands strong without sung melody lines, and release that as its own cinematic instrumental masterpiece and get the music placed in movies and such, but all along we wanted to also record the songs, reconstructed or as is, depending on which song, with various singers that we love and have this great melodic song with music underneath that is more layered and complex than what would normally be played with a singer, but also have the music be catchy and not too experimental…

ELSEWHERE: Could you tell us a bit about Dugans, like where you know him from, what else he does apart from Dreams in Static?

DIWON: Dugans is an amazing guitarist who comes from Austin, Texas, where the rock scene is really big. He played there for ten years, mostly every night in different groups. He also had a band called ‘Raliss’, which he was making some noise with in the rock scene. Now he lives down the block from me in Crown Heights, New York. We have a production team called ‘Dreams in Static’, we also produced Shir HaShirim, mixing heartfelt Moroccan song with hypnotic hip-hop, rock, and Middle Eastern beats, and next up is a project called ‘Levi Mordechai’, which is reminiscent of early Israeli records such as Shalom Chanoch and is very live, but also has some beat elements to it.

ELSEWHERE: What pushed you in the direction of Dreams in Static?

DIWON: I had started making these really cinematic beats, playin’ keys and synths over beats I was putting together and thought it would be great to send to Dugans to lay some guitar, and cut that up as if it were sampled and just keep cutting it up and rearranging it so that it would be a mix of a live band, a hip-hop producer, but beyond the loop-driven hip-hop that’s played on the radio. Something that big music enthusiasts could really listen to on repeat and find new elements with each listen…

ELSEWHERE: How did you arrive at the duo name and the album name?

DIWON: ‘Dreams in Static’ just came to me. It sounded cool and seemed the perfect name for such a project. The album name, ‘Serene Poetic’ came from back in college when I was really into poetry and spoken word, I was going to put together my work and call it ‘Serene Poetic Cacophony’ I remember telling [poet, hip-hop artist and actor] Saul Williams about it and he seemed stoked on the name – fast forward a slew of years and I just cut off the cacophonous part, even the music, at times, probably warrants the adjective.

‘The Sabra Sessions Volume One’ by Diwon, cover art
ELSEWHERE: Most people might not know, but you do a lot of your own artwork – what’s the story behind the two latest covers in your catalogue?

DIWON: I direct everything for my label [Shemspeed] and I do seventy-five percent of the designing. The Dreams cover was something I always had in my head, and then, once, stumbled on this French artist who was creating work similar to what I had in mind. Just very surreal situations, scenes that look real and could be possible, but at the same time visually don’t make sense. I collaborated on the cover with a designer who does work for the ultra-ortho[dox] labels in Brooklyn. He is great at extraction, something I am really bad at. Anyway, we finally got all the elements and he layered ’em in as per what I saw in my head. It was pretty fun. The Sabra Sessions is basically a play on designs I have been messing with for a while. Sort of the collage, cut and paste; retro, but new-school, fresh style; I wanted it to look like it could be a record cover from the 60s or from right now. I put the cover in a Polaroid-simulator-type thing to get the edges to look like that, and bam!

ELSEWHERE: What other side projects are you working on?

DIWON: my Others album which is a bunch of my different style songs with singers from around the world as well as this Diwon Riddim, record which is where singers in all languages get down to one of my Riddims, making club music in French, Jamaican English, Hebrew, German, Russian, English and so on. On the side of that, I am producing for a bunch of the Shemspeed artists, including Y-Love and DeScribe.

ELSEWHERE: Can we look forward to more Yemenite action from Diwon?

DIWON: The Yemeniteness will always be in some of my music. I still haven’t found a Yemenite singer or rapper to fit what I am going for, but I will always sneak Arabic and Yemenite styles into my hip hop beats.

ELSEWHERE: Are you and Dugans going to tour Serene Poetic?

DIWON: I doubt it. I want to be home in case Tarantino calls us to score his next film! We are workin’ on the vocal version next and a kids’ album as well, with [singer-songwriter] Jill Sobule.

ELSEWHERE: The Sabra Sessions is a little closer to what most listeners would know you for – it sounds like a funky Tel Aviv rooftop party – how did you end up putting it together?

DIWON: It’s sort of music that I have been enjoying, but the mix is how it’s always been played in my head, remixed, chopped, sped up. Sort of the style of Baltimore and Miami club music, which I haven’t found in Israel, so I tried my best to mix it up in a way that the Hebrew songs fit the style and tempo. I threw in some throwback tunes like ‘Funky Town’ because no-one ever DJs that in a hi- hop set for some reason, but it’s the most amazing track!

ELSEWHERE: What’s the next big thing in Jewish music – what’s turning you on right now?

DIWON: Middle Eastern Hip Hop in English, like Benyamin Brody (who features on Shir HaShirim) and Ephryme.

ELSEWHERE: Any parting words?

DIWON: It was such a blessing touring with you all in Melbourne, looking forward to the next thing!

“Serene Poetic” is slated for a early 2010 release. For musical delights in the meantime, check out www.shemspeed.com, www.myspace.com/diwon, www.myspace.com/eprhyme and www.myspace.com/benyaminbrody”

check the original postin - elsewherepromotions.com/?p=146

Who we are looking for: A personable, energetic, and, if possible, tech-savvy student to assist with online and physical marketing and promotions. Responsibilities include but are not limited to marketing and street team oversight, myspace and facebook promotions/upkeep, some general administrative work, and assistance on special projects. Experience with photoshop/illustrator and youtube encoding is a plus, but not required. Experience within the indie rock/hip hop industry is a plus, but not required.

Who we are: Shemspeed and its sister company Modular Moods are two music enterprises featuring artists of indie hip hop, breakbeat klezmer jazz, electronic, post rock and lots of other genre smashers. We have released albums by Y-Love, bellflur, Kosha Dillz, C-Rayz Walz , Eprhyme &
Juez to name a few. We work hard putting together multi-cultural events promoting knowledge and understanding of different musical genres that transcend geographical, historical and cultural borders.

What we are doing: We’re currently launching the marketing campaign for Y-Love, Dreams in Static, Kosha Dillz, DeScribe, Moshiach Oi, Eprhyme, Darshan, & Diwon albums along with a national tour. The press already garnered for this LP is phenomenal and done by our in house publicity team Please note, we are working with world reknown artist who have been featured in XXL, SPIN, The Source, MTV and BET.

SERIOUS INQURIES ONLY!

We’re currently updating our Shemspeed.com with hundreds of songs, videos, and events from all over the globe as well as adding new artists to our already extensive roster. We are also planning the 5th annual Sephardic Music Festival, which will showcase Sephardic, Yemenite & Ladino music and producing global Shemspeed open mics as well as international tours for each artist.

More details of the internship: This is an unpaid part-time position available for high school/college credit (approx. 10-15 hours per week), but not without perks. This is an opportunity to learn from a successful indie record label and music promotions company. Open to students and non students alike. Work from anywhere!

Please send a resume and any relevant information about yourself to
erez@shemspeed.com

We look forward to hearing from you!

- Erez Safar & the Shemspeed team.

1. Shi360, Y-Love & TJ Di Hitmaker ‘Freestyle’ Live at Shemspeed Sukkot Party (more video links below):

2. Run This Town - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMhE9BLl-x4

3. Shi360 “ריקוד השבטים” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp-jaBANVfI

4. Y-Love & J. Stone “Moshiach Now” BEAT BOX/RAP - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pza_-KnpYhw

5. . Diwon (MPC) Vs. J. Stone (BEAT BOX) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8bt4VzvJlM

(more to come) and of course check out Shemspeed TV @ http://bit.ly/shemtv

6. Shi360, Y-Love & Diwon Freestyle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcpPUySXUHo

- Erez Safar

AND THIS - www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytWvZtiERN4

HERE ARE SOME: SIX POINT STAR, REALITY ADDICTION, NOSSON ZAND, Y-LOVE, DESCRIBE, DIWON
* PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS INCLUDE MOSHE HECHT, & YURI LANE & MORE

THIS SHOW WILL SELL OUT GET YOUR TICKETS NOW $12 advance $15 at the door / Click - http://tinyurl.com/mx6eo5

listen to more @ www.myspace.com/7sefira

BUY THE WHOLE ALBUM HERE!

DOWNLOAD THE SUKKOT SONG FREE HERE!

p.s. see you at the big Shemspeed Sukkot Party Weds night at South Paw (click here for info)

Mr. Hawthorne will remind you of someone. For me, it’s G. Love. Fun for a few songs, but dull over the course of an entire album. The disc is heavily influenced by soul giants such as Curtis Mayfield and the Isley Brothers, to the point of being derivative. There’s nothing new going on here, and nothing all that interesting, aside from the above-mentioned songs, which aren’t super original, just happen to hit a good mark.

While Mr. Hawthorne, born Andrew Mayer Cohen, probably puts on a pleasing live show, the album is too produced and often not loose enough to allow for any warm soul to sneak in. Better to throw on a Stevie Wonder record and call it a day.

- MC Aaron

The Telegraph speculates that the over the top bombastic nature of his anti-Semitic and anti-Israel rhetoric might just be a sign of his overcompensating for his Jewish origins – something we’ve seen often in the past. Of course this news ought have no effect on Ahmadinejad’s political career. As we all know, Iran has always treated its Jews well and I am sure Mahmoud has nothing to fear. Nothing at all. I look forward to having him over for a Shabbat meal whenever he has the chance.

OK. I’m trying to be clever and funny but this news is so many different levels of {messedupness} uppedness that really? I’m kind of stunned.

originally posted by David of Jewlicious, here, who we love!

p.s. watch the video here

- Erez Safar

p.s. See what Jewcy has to say about our friend Tamir:

News came last week that Tamir Goodman, once a prospect so heralded at the high school level that he earned the moniker “The Jewish Jordan” before he was old enough to buy cigarettes, was retiring from basketball after a career that did not, alas, lead him to become the greatest player in the NBA. Sadly, he never achieved his goal of even making the league.

While this is unsurprising- it is a nearly impossible standard to reach Michael Jordan’s eminence, even with the relative modifier “Jewish” in front of the namesake- what I find most interesting is just how quickly the Jewish community affixed this nickname to Goodman.

We are, as a people, desperate for our iconic modern sports hero. It’s been a while since we had one.

That is not to say there aren’t prominent Jews in sports today. As I have traveled around the country, giving talks about my book, The Baseball Talmud, I have been quick to point out that 2009 contained the most Jewish players in any single season of Major League Baseball.

And many of those players are not mere journeymen: Kevin Youkilis, Ryan Braun and Ian Kinsler have all been standout hitters, while Scott Feldman and Jason Marquis have excelled in particular on the mound.

But what has struck me among the people I’ve met during my tour is the reverence for Sandy Koufax. It is at a level that surpasses even the Jewish baseball fan’s love for Youkilis locally in Boston, or for Braun in Milwaukee. He was an icon.

And so was Greenberg. Take a look at Philip Roth’s description in “The Conversion of the Jews” of a Hebrew school’s free discussion period.

It was a gusty, clouded November afternoon and it did not seem as though there ever was or could be a thing called baseball. So nobody this week said a word about that hero from the past, Hank Greenberg–which limited free discussion considerably.

Who among the Jewish people could so predominate today? No one. And American sport represents the path for such a person- musical taste is so fragmented, for instance, and politics so adult, but success in sport, coupled with identification with Judaism, would be the pathway for such a unifying force in Jewish life.

This is not to say such a person is guaranteed to appear. After all, it has been more than 40 years since Koufax retired, and it has yet to happen. We are fragmented as a society like never before, between disparate sources for news, information and entertainment, to even greaternumbers of pathways to definebeing Jewish in the 21st century.

But the haste with which Tamir Goodman was named “The Jewish Jordan” says to me that there is still a passion for such a figure among the Jewish people.

And for those who say it will never happen, I can only think to a few years ago, when I wondered, as a prog