Jewish Music Review: Michoel Puzansky / MP3

Well Michoel Pruzansky aka PRUZ has released his 3rd album and has smartly entitled it "MP3".

Lets begin the review shall we?

For all the info on this album regarding song writers etc. click here for the song book.

1) L'tav Uvid: Chosen as the first fast song because it grabs your attention and is arguably the best fast song on the album. This is a great straight ahead rock tune that I did not get tired of no matter how many times I heard it. The harmonies and vocal background which interestingly enough was done by Yitzy Waldner who is in my opinion, one of the better song writers in Jewish music today. Pruz or who ever he hired to help with his arrangements made the right move in hiring Daniel Flam to assist with brass and brass arrangements no doubt. Rating 10/10

2) Al Shlosha: Another fast one: hora/disco this time. Composed by both Baruch Levine and Yitzy Bald. Not sure if that mean that one did the low and the other the high part. The low part is fantastic but in my opinion the high part doesn't fit quite as tightly with the words. Great sax parts by Shloime Cohen  and everyone in the band gets to show off a bit after 3:20 Rating 7.5/10

3) Pia Puscha: A ballad written by Yitzy Waldner is a great contemporary ballad with a great arrangement by Eli Laufer. Eli also sings on this album which lends a nice dynamic to the feeling of this song. Did not care for the use of the flugel horn (I think that's what I'm hearing) and/or perhaps the mix on the intro the string section should have sounded better as they do later on. Great ballad. 9.5/10

4) Al Yisroel Shalom: Composed by Yochanon Shapiro. A rock/disco and  this song is not bad but didn't really do it for me. The repetitions of "al yisroel shalom" just started to bother me after a while but that's just me. Rating 6/10

5) Shomer Yisroel: By Yochanon Shapiro has a very kumzitz type style to it. Not contemporary in the way that Pia Puscha is. The acoustic guitar with the flute is a nice touch. Avrumi Schwebel was a solid choice for a kid to back him up. Rating 8/10

6) Sheyovo: Another rock tune with some hard hitting brass and mens and boys choirs. I enjoyed this tune but again the repetition strikes and the song just falls short of being fantastic. Rating 7/10

7) Show Me The Way: Yitzy Waldner hits another home run here. Fantastic contemporary tune for an english ballad. Some will argue that the words could have been developed better. All in all a very  inspiring song. Rating 9/10

8) Zeh La Zeh: If this song sounds familiar that's because you heard it on Shloime Kaufman's album Avodas Tzedokah and he also is featured on this song. Written by Yitzy Waldner this remakes really makes this song sound even better. Rating 8.5/10

9) Mi Bon: Ballad by Elle Shwab and starts with vocals Avrumi Schwebel who does a solid job and every note he performs is perfect. This is a contemporary ballad as well and one of the better performances by Michoel on this album.  Leib Yakov Rigler does a nice job arranging this tune with very tasteful string arrangements. The song itself wasn't quite as good as the other ballad but still a solid tune.Rating  8/10

10) Torah: Another catchy moderate rock/disco/hora by Yitzy Waldner. This song is a lot of fun to listen to but I could of done without that synth that the arrannger, Ian Frietor seems to be fond of. Rating 8/10

Bottom Line: Michoel went all out getting some of the better songwriters, arrangers and musicians to take him to the next level. This album is a very solid offering with no real filler type songs. Although not every song was a winner for me you may very well feel different so be sure to check it out and decide for yourself.

Jewish Music Review: Benny Friedman: Taamu

Benny Friedman's debut is probably one of the most anticipated albums to ever be released in quite some time and it's a pleasure for me to review this album. Produced by Avi Newmark and distributed by Sameach Music.

1) Misod
Composed by Elimelech Blumstien
Arranged by Ian Freitor

This is strong disco/rock tune that's catchy and easy to lock onto and has a yeshivish edge to it.You have the signature Avi Singolda sound on the rhythm guitar and a great sax solo at 2:58 by Shlomie Cohen and of course great brass work by Daniel Flam and co.

Rating: 8

2) No Lyrics
Composed by Yitzy Waldner
Arranged by Ian Freitor

This niggun is not one your father sang in the shteeble. It features many updated concepts in comtemporary music today including programmed beats with hip hop style background vocals.As the song progresses they throw in some dramatic soundtrack style effects and drums.Interesting to listen to but it's not the best song on the album.

Rating: 7

3) U K'sheim
Composed by Yitzy Spinner
Arranged by Moshe Laufer

The piano ballad features soft but strong vocals by Benny and certainly his sound reminds you of his uncle Avraham but with a real twist that sets him apart. With nice chord progressions I really appreciated the bridges in this song. This is certainly a song one can play during the Chupa.

Rating: 8.5

4) Taamu
Composed by Shmuel & Bentzy Marcus
Arranged by Avremi G.

The title track starts with a very hip hora/disco I really enjoy the "A" part of this song. The song goes to a more straight ahead disco on part"B" and they throw in some Latin piano fills. I'm sure this song will get a lot of play time during the wedding circuit. I really enjoy the end of the song where he goes into an almost chazanos version of the melody.

Rating: 9

5) Hameracheim
Composed by Simche Friedman
Arranged by Leib Yaakov Rigler

This ballad starts with a flourish of flute, strings and brass. Benny starts by singing and the flute answers with an echo harmony in general it's a very classicaly based arrangement to start and it is retro in style.

Rating: 7

6) Moshiach
Composed by Yitzy Waldner
Arranged by Ian Freitor

This song starts with a Latin style based arrangement that is geared for a hora style.The background vocals are really nice here as is the flute work.

Rating: 6.5

7) Kad Yasvun
Composed by Meshulam Greenberger
Arranged by Moshe Laufer

This is another great piano ballad and Mosher Roth does a really nice job with the choir here.Toward the end (6:23) Benny goes for some real high notes that show his extended range.

Rating: 7.5

8) Amar
Composed by Yitzy Waldner
Arranged by Mona Rosenblum

A Hora that grabs your attention from the first note that's played and keeps you dancing.This song will certainly grow on you.

Rating: 8.5

9) Yaavducha
Composed by Bentzy Marcus
Arranged by Avremi G.

Featuring 8th day in this country style tune features some fantatic harmonies and A Capella that you truly enjoy.

Rating: 9

10) Letova
Composed by Oreil Avraham
Arranged by Ian Freitor & Leib Yaakov Rigler
A song with a seemingly strange intro with a retro sound (moog synth?). This moderate rock song is a very solid creation and the major chord progressions give it a very happy sound.

Rating: 8.5

11) Botaich Ani
Composed by Yitzy Waldner
Arranged by Leib Yaakov Rigler

A very contemporary styled ballad. Benny shows more of his soft side with falsetto on this tune.Featuring soprano sax and guitar overdubs with really nice background vocals.

Rating: 8

12)Emes
Composed by Yitzy Waldner
Arranged by Ian Freitor

You can argue with me but in my opinion they left the best for last. This song really stands out in every way. From the bluesy hip hop hora style to lyrics and the diction to the solid rythm guitar to the great brass lines it all just comes together. I can't stop listening to this song and can play it till the cows come home and still not get bored of it.

Rating: 11 out of 10 (huh?)

Synopsis:

All in all a very strong debut album that lives up to the hype and Benny has proven he is a force to be reckoned with in the Jewish Music business. He's got some great range with some serious pipes to boot. Kudos to the producer Avi Newmark who also brought you Dovid Gabay and certainly has an eye for talent! Avi had a major hand in putting this fantastic album together and his hard work has certainly paid off.I look forward to hearing more of Benny in the future as I'm sure you will too.

Here is the sampler trailer for Benny's Album. Enjoy!

Music Review: Avodas Tzedaka for A TIME

Now that the 3 weeks are over we take you to our regular programming schedule of music and music reviews. Shloime Kaufman has produced an album, Avodas Tzedakah composed exclusively for A TIME. A TIME is the premier, internationally acclaimed organization that offers advocacy, education, guidance, research and support through our many programs to Jewish men, women, and couples struggling with reproductive health and infertility. The album features vocals by Shloime Kaufman and features many guest appearances by Abie rotenberg, Dovid Gabbay, Baruch Levine, Michoel Pruzansky, A.K.A. Pella. Songs.

1) Avodos Tzedaka composed by Yitzy Waldner

The title song is the first song on this release featuring vocals by Shloime Kaufman. The idea seems to be to grab your attention as soon as you hit play. This is a very heavy hitting song with a lot of brass ( arranged by Danny Flam of NYBrass.com) is very pleasant and they back it off a bit in the middle with some nice harmonies with Shloime singing harmonies with himself. It's not ground breaking but a very solid song.

7.5 out of 10

2) Yigdal composed and arranged and performed Boruch Levine

A ballad that would make a nice chupah song escpecially as an instrumental. Not quite on the level of V'zakeini but enjoyable.

8 out of 10

3) Kol Yisroel composed by Yitzy Waldner performed by Pruzanskay

This song was a bit surprising to hear to me. It's a sampled type of arrangement that might remind you of the ace of base with a newer hip hop/r&b vibe. It's certainly not a typical song the beat can grab you and the vocals are cute with Shloime and Pruz bending notes with electric tinges added to their vocals for effect. It just seems to be missing a third part perhaps but a cool concept.

7 out of 10

4) Min Hamaitzar composed by Yitzy Waldner performed Dovid Gabay

A Ballad sung by Dovid Gabay I think the song is pretty good but I think the arrangement is a bit bland. Gabay's vocals sound clean and he belts it out on the high part which is great.

7 out of 10

5) Ivdu composed by Shloime Kaufman guest performance by Shalom Jacobs

A retro song in a straight up frielach style very simple arrangement. If you like songs that are easy to sing like carlebach this is your tune.

6.5 out of 10

6) Aishes Chayil Composed by Yitzy Waldner

Shloime sings this ballad by Waldner very well. It has some nice arrangments but probably won't make your top 10 since it's missing a great hook but that's just me.

6 out of 10

7) V'yizku composed Baruch Levine

A (Yeshivish) rock tune starts of with a nice choir and moves into vocals by Shloime belting out
the title of the song. I enjoyed the electric guitar soloing here and in the intro the second time around.

8 out of 10

8) Habita composed by Yossi Muller featuring AKA Pella

Hudi Greenber and Avi Stewart both solo and Shloime I believe joins in too on this ballad.
This is a great kumzitz tune and I think that perhaps that's what they were aiming for here.
Nice harmonies and an arragement that's not overdone here.

8.5 out of 10

9) Sunshine In The Rain composed by Yitzy Waldener Lyrics by Bella Levitan
Perfomed by Abie Rotenberg and cast

This contemporary ballad was written for the organization A TIME and talks about the pain people with issues of infertality go through, not a typical topic for an english song. The arrangement and vocals are truly excepetional and could rival the contemporary song you hear anywhere. If you understand what this song is about, you can't help but be moved by it.

11 out of 10 (no not a typo)

10) Sameach composed by Yitzy Waldner
I enjoyed this hip hop/funk/hora style song. It certainly has a nice groove and the harmonies are fun. They were going for a very contemporary hip hop/ r&b style and I think they nailed it.

9 out of 10

11) Yevarachicha composed by Yitzy Waldner
Another ballad featuring Shloime Kaufman. A pleasant tune but again not earth shattering.

6 out of 10

12) Sunshine In The Rain Bonus Track featuring AKA Pella and Shloime Kaufman
A great song and a great job by Shloime and AKA Pella fantastic!

11 out of 10

All in all this was a very enjoyable album (listen to the free sampler here) that should give you plenty of new enjoyable material to listen to, so go out and buy it!