January 26, 2006

Emanuel Steinbaum Presents Puch

Vivah Sarah Press writes in the Jerusalem Post:

A recent debut in record stores is a solo effort by Emanuel Steinbaum, better known as Puch, and the Helicon record company has been heavily promoting its new young singer.

Born and bred in Jerusalem, Puch wrote lyrics and composed the music to all but one of the tracks on this album. His first single, "Nemalim," was quickly picked up by radio stations. His music is pop with a splash of rock, electronica and world beats. The album is fun to listen to - Puch sings softly, then louder, croons and harmonizes, and sounds totally at ease with singing solo.

On the track "Meaz She'halacht," musical backup is provided by none other than Idan Raichel (who collaborated with Puch before Raichel became a star). Like its melody, the words of this break-up song are touching.

Puch is not afraid to play with different styles: "Od Horim," which follows "Meaz She'halacht," is more lively and even has a polka intro.

The one song not written by Puch on the album ("Kol Hazman") was penned by his musician brother, Ronen. The 26-year-old Puch has been involved in the Jerusalem music scene since the age of 12.

The album has a high quality sound, and whereas other bands quickly record and release their material on disc, Puch and Helicon took over two years to put this debut together.

There's no doubt we'll be hearing a lot more from this up and coming Jerusalemite.

Posted by yudel at 09:36 PM | Comments (0)

February 23, 2005

Top of the charts

MP3Music.co.il - מצעד מוסיקה ישראלית provides what seems to be an updated list of Reshet Gimel's top songs.

Currently #1: Idan Raichel's ממעמקים

Posted by yudel at 03:24 PM | Comments (2)

Idan Raichel on NPR

Tip of the kova tembel to Israelity for pointing out the NPR Morning Edition interview with Idran Raichel:
Israeli musician Idan Raichel won his country's song of the year honors with a piece that mixed pop and ethnic Ethiopian music. Raichel has helped introduce the music of Israel's immigrant Ethiopian community to a wider audience and is just finishing his U.S. tour.
Great story, particularly since it's audio!

But if you want to read as well, here's a piece from the York University student paper, reviewing a recent concert there:

Most of the songs were not quite the same live, as many of the original musicians of the songs were not present (Raichel tours with only 7 of his 30 collaborating musicians), but the music was nonetheless brilliant and stirring. Though the most die-hard of fans might argue that "If You Go" was performed better on the CD, the emotion the musicians put into their singing, dancing and playing made the concert experience breathtaking.

While the sounds and sights of Idan Raichel are surprising to the first-time viewer, he believes that they should be nothing but natural.

"For me, they are the Israel of 2005, which represents the immigration and the colours of Israel," he says. The distance their group has come in three short years is amazing, he says, explaining how it felt to perform in Tel Aviv's biggest opera hall for the first time.

"I was thinking to myself, ten years ago, Avi Wassa came from Ethiopia and Cabra Kasai was in Sudan," he says. "Today", he adds, "they can walk really proud."

Posted by yudel at 02:08 PM | Comments (0)

February 16, 2005

Idan Raichel speaks to the Jerusalem Post

Jerusalem Post interviews Eidan Raichel. Excerpts:

"Whatever one writes or creates comes from our depths. I don't write snappy pop songs from off the top of my head. Whether I'm writing about love or something else, what I write comes from my lowest point," he says, searching for ways of properly explaining the album's title.

Ethiopian beats - present on the first album - are still in the mix, but there's also Caribbean and Arabic styles on Out of the Depths.

"This is Israel... forget politics, this music reflects different segments of the Israeli population. I love this album. I hope others will like it, too."

Although considered a boy wonder who appeared out of nowhere one day in 2002, Raichel had been working with some of the country's leading artists for a number of years. It was this experience, plus a good dose of hutzpa, that led him to ask Damari to pool resources.

"Record company executives suggested that for my second album I work with well-known musicians. I decided against that, as I prefer to work with unknowns, with new people, with new musicians, with new vibes," says Raichel. "And though I wanted to continue with young people, the suggestion about working with someone established set into my mind. After thinking about it, I decided the person I'd most love to work with is Damari."

Posted by yudel at 10:14 PM | Comments (0)