Kleta Red, Hassidic New Wave and others

[GAronoff <GAronoff...>]

Re:  Kleta Red

Alana

Kleta Red's disc "Hijacking" is put out on Zorn's Tzadik record lable, 61
East 8th Street, Suite 126, New York, NY10003.  Tzadik's web page is at
www.kochint.com/tzadik.html

Re:  Hassidic New Wave and others

Ari's question about soul in the fringe Jewish music is very interesting and
from the discussion that has gone on over the last few days, very personal.
 The intellectual side of much of this music also seems to be deeply within
the realm of Jewish music, but again it is a question of personal
preferences.  

Personally, I find the struggle to unite contemporary music and Jewish
cultural or spiritual material extremely interesting from an intellectual
standpoint.  In the end, however, the emotional quality of the music will
always be the central part of my experience with any performance.

As far as Hassidic New Wave goes, I found the disc to be basically jazz, but
with an interesting approach to Jewish musical themes; particularly Tzur
Mishelo and Eliyahu Hanovi.  The music, while clearly within the sphere of
avant guard jazz, was generally free of the self-indulgence of that genre.
 On several cuts, including Debka and especially Bobover Wedding March, the
band really cuts loose and successfully produces a hip emotionally powerful
version of traditional Hassidic dance music.  

Anyone wanting to check out other artists who are working with Jewish themes
and contemporary styles should look into Ben Sidran (contemporary jazz), Wolf
Krakowski (folk-rock on Yiddish laments), and RebbeSoul (rock and new-age).
 All three have produced records that are fully Jewish and fully
contemporary.  These discs are satisfying both in their intellectual pursuit
of new Jewish music and in the high quality emotional performance of the
music.  Unlike many performers who write bad (I know that's subjective but
everyone has an opinion) songs about the "moshiach" or cheesy Kenny-G style
adaptations of Jewish musical themes, these artists really know how to rock
and swing and use their real gifts in the search for Jewish music that will
connect with a wide array of modern listeners.

One final pitch.  Peter Himmelman's music is absolutely contemporary
thoughtful pop music which subtely introduces Jewish themes and topics.  Few
popular musicians could pull off an eight and a half minute rocking ballad on
the subject of a nazi cab driver.  Himmelman can.