(more…)

I just got the brand new Shloime Gertner CD, Say Asay, and I’m hearing these songs for the first time. Often I hear music in pieces before it comes out, so that “first full listen” feel is lost.

For this album I did not hear anything before we all heard those sample clips. I’m listening to this CD completely fresh out of the box, taking it in. That’s why I’m excited to hear something “fresh” in full.

I have a certain method with how I listen to new CD’s for the first time, and I figured I’d share it with you.

I’m not saying this is the right way to listen to a new CD, I’m just saying this is how I tend to always do it.

Step 1: Open CD, read through booklet once.

Step 2: Play CD – go straight to title track.

Step 3: Listen to all the fast songs first. For me at least I pick up the fast songs quicker.

Step 4: I usually listen to the fast songs a few times. Each time I let the slow songs between play longer and eventually start picking out the ones I like more.

Step 5: Listen to the CD in full, from start to finish.

Step 6: Listen to all slow songs.  The reason I skip the slow songs at first is that since I don’t connect to the slow songs right away, I don’t want to listen once and sub consciously not like a slow song because I’m itching to just skip to the fast exciting songs. Like this I can give the slow songs their own respect.

Step 7: Read what all the bloggers, websites, twitterers, facebookers and friends say.

Step 8: Ask producer when the “next one” is coming.

How about you?

I’m looking through some old pictures and trying to wrap my head around this incredible shock, pain and loss. I’m going to attempt to write something soon. Everyone should know as much as possible about this man. He was a Tzadik in the truest sense of the word. An Ish Chassid, Baal G’vir, Baal Tzedakah, Baal Rachamamim, a good person. The best. Read more here for the mean time.

Today is (or if you are reading this after today, was) my birthday. I said my new Kapitol today for the first time this morning at the Ohel. Of course, being the music obsessed nerd I am, I noticed there are lyrics in here to my favorite choir of all time, Tzlil V’zemer.

Here’s the song, the lyrics are Al Zoys Yispalel. They were used by Tzlil V’zemer, composed by Rochel Miller, sung on Volume 7, “Be the Best You Can Be”, soloists are Eli Goldstein and Zachory Grauer, conducted by Avraham Rosenberg.

[Audio:http://www.designsbysruly.com/Audio/AlZoys.mp3]

I have lots to say, but no time to write it. It’s not only the fault of insufficient time, I’m also very bad at remembering to come here and write a post. I had ten minutes to kill and I was thinking it’s such a shame not to write something. Alas, as I said before, I don’t have enough time to really write what I want to.

I pledge to you, my loyal readers, (all 15 of you, oh and also, hi Mom!) that there will be more posts here very soon. For one thing, I’m buying a new camera very soon (for my birthday) and I’m going to use this forum to host the many many pictures I’ll be taking.

I also have posts I like to compose about the long in development Benny Friedman CD which is starting to enter the final stages.

I’ve also got a lot to discuss regarding this industry, the current economy, why CD’s get pushed off, and what NOT to do to generate buzz. After all, despite what some think, not all buzz is good buzz. I also want to write about the right way and the wrong way to use YouTube to push yourself.

For now I guess let’s just bid adieu and I wish you a great Shabbos.

PS – Check out my Shir Hashirim cover. It’s my current pride and joy. There are dozens of original layers here. It’s so sweet.

Click the image to hear the music.

Sometimes I juggle way too many projects at once. I really want to work on this article I’m writing but I can’t find any quiet time to sit and bond with MS Word 2007. It’s really funny though because the more I write that article the more it turns into a behind the scenes peek into the Benny Friedman album. I have to decide which direction the article should take. What do you think? Do you think people would like an article talking about what makes Jewish music Jewish, or more of an inside look into the Benny album. Although the latter did inspire the former to begin with.

Aside from the article I’m working on a bunch of re-designs of old classic albums we now carry exclusively at Sameach. (Mostly Horahs, Dedi, Project X’s, etc.) If you didn’t see when it came out, I was the main designer on the last issue of the J.E. and what is now known as The Jewish Insights. You can download that issue here.

I’ve also been enjoying lots of great Jewish music. How about you? Here’s a brief rundown of what I’ve been listening to.

The 8th Note CD was really breathtaking. Yossi Green is just a genius. My favorite songs on 8th note are, Sefor, Anovim and Beshiftacha. Yossi Tyberg really out did himself, and that’s not just me saying that. I can’t wait for Yeedle to come out. Dovid Gabay’s CD was better then I’d have ever imagined. My favorites on the album are Brichos Avicha, Nagila, Tana and Zaroh. Again, another amazing producer, Avi, you are my friend and partner in many different projects, so people may think I’m just blowing smoke, but you are truly gifted.
I loved the Michoel Pruzansky’s Tasseh music video. I always say, do more videos, videos are great. Michoel also has my favorte Dov Shurin song on his album, V’lo. If you haven’t hear Dov Shurin’s music you have to. The guy is just out of this world talented. (He composed Zachreini Na also)

Has anyone heard the new Yossi Gurvitz CD? My favorite song on there is Hamelomeid (as anyone who listens to ShmaisRadio will know.) I also heard the Yoel Dovid CD available from L’Chaim. It’s not bad, not bad at all. Speaking of L’Chaim, The magnificent Shira Choir released a great album. Those guys are awesome. (Shraga is the best.)

I don’t know if I said this before but if you haven’t, go out and buy Yitzy Spinner’s CD. I heard one track off of Ari B’s new group album (which I’ll be doing the cover for) and it’s going to be so rocking. Ari is so talented, it’s great. Dovid Stein’s new CD is coming out Rosh Hashana time (as well as Menucha 2!!) and he released a clip, it sounds really nice. This should be an interesting album.

I’ve also been listening to one of Meshulam Greenburger’s albums. I am obsessed with it. If you don’t know who that is call Mostly Music or L’Chaim and buy it right now. It’s not as wild as Lipa but I think it’s really great. Last but not least, on the other side of the Jewish music planet. I have been listening to Momy Levy’s most recent album. It’s called Personal Import. I believe it’s available through Helicon music, but I’m sure Gal Paz sells it too. Momy is the arranger of the Hebrew and English version of The 8th Note song. When you hear the sound and production quality of that type of an album it really just blows you away.

That’s all for now, I hope everyone has a great Pesach. Enjoy the Matzah and don’t drink too much wine. Maybe in the next post I’ll have some studio pics to share.

(Visit these links to hear/see the albums I mentioned.)

MostlyMusic.com | Israel-Music | The8thNoteCD | The Jewish Insights |DovidStein | Pruz.com

Hey everyone, hope your having a happy Chanukah! Just a few things here ….

There is a LOT of good music in the stores right now. I know you think I’m just saying that because I work at Sameach, but I’m serious, trust me.

You have to give the Yitzy Spinner CD a try. There are two full songs on the Sameach podcasts 40 and 41. On Sameach Podcast 42 Yitzy came in together with another talented new artist Aryeh Kunstler and they sang two songs live together. A move I’m very proud to have thought of and pulled off. Dov is pumped to do it again, and IY’H we will have a nother cool double live in studio interview very soon (we’re already working out the details.)

If the Chassidic sound is not your speed then you have to try Aryeh Kunstler’s CD. If you are a fan of any soft or alt rock you will be in love with his CD.

We have some very interesting DVD’s too. A Kosher cooking DVD. The Food Network is huge right now and people love learning and watching about cooking. The food is literally mouth watering. My mother in law made one of the dishes for our family chanukah party and she said it came out amazing.

Then there is also the Lipa and Hasc dvd’s, but very cool and very fun.

It seems that the Tu’Bshvat to Purim season is also going to be huge. Look for covers and news on the CD’s to come during those seasons very soon on the podcast website.

Make sure to pick up a copy of the J.E.’s Chanukah issue. Yours truly has a very fun article titled “So, You Wanna Record Your Own Album ….” It’s just a little piece running down some industry basics on new albums that if you or someone you know is considering making your own album, are good to know. Let me know what you think.

As with the theme many times on this blog, I ask you for help.

What are some of your favorite Chanukah songs. I help set the playlist at ShmaisRadio.com and I am trying to play as much Chanukah music as I can think of.

So far the obvious choices are:

Miami Boys Choir Light up the Nights CD Tzlil V’Zemer Hooked on Chanukah
Chaim Fogelmans Chanukah CD
Yossi and Yerachmiel’s Chanukah Nights
Gershon Veroba – Dreidel
Avraham Fried’ Hanairos Halalu
Desitny’s Colored Candles

What am I missing?

I made up this year to blog more and so here I am.

I have been doing some outside Sameach work recently.

Please check out the ShalomWorkShop.org website. I designed and created it. I also have been doing ads for them and other things. It’s a very important website and if you know any young couples or newly engaged couples make sure to pass it on to them.

I also just completed a DVD job for Rabbi and Mrs. Kunda. They are releasing a new DVD based on the popular CD’s. This DVD is When Zaidy Was Young: Tale Two. (The first tale was released for free through Oorah.) You can download the first one here.I am currently working on the Ohel 5767 and HASC 20 covers. I don’t know which will be released first, but I think they are both turning out to be stunning covers.

Just a reminder, if you or someone you know is looking for a graphic designer, I am doing freelance work outside Sameach. You can reach me at SameachMusic@gmail.com

Last but certainly not least, please keep in mind YITZCHOK MOSHE BEN BAILA SHEVA for a complete Refuah. I hope everyone had a meaningful and spirtual Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur and have an amazing Festival of the Booths (or for the rest of us – Succos)

- Sruly

I feel like I should be making a self deprecating joke about how the 5 of you who read this blog must have missed me. Isn’t that typical behavior for a blogger who only blogs one post every 3 months? I’m sorry but I am split so many different ways that I rarely have time to come here and really blog. The truth is much of what I’d love to blog about is restricted information.

I’ve been working on a lot of redesigning. We recently acquired the rights to a lot of old titles and we redesigned the covers and changed the names to some of them. Some CD’s didn’t do well and we felt one of the reasons were that it had shvach designs and vague names.

There are a lot of really cool music projects in the works. Too many if I do say so myself. I’d like to see many of these projects leave the in the works stage and reach the newly released stage. Jewish music fans are in for a real treat when some of these cd’s come out. One CD that has been in the works for off and on, at least 6 years. It’s going to be the hit of the year in a way that a CD hasn’t been since Mona 4 came out and all everyone was singing was the Fried, Lipa and MBD songs. (That’s a major hint by the way)

We have a lot of concert CD/DVD’s in the works. By A Lot I mean A TON. There are going to be so many concert DVD’s coming out over the next 12 months people will be in seventh heaven. Some that you are expecting and some that you had no idea about.

Dov and I recorded a podcast commentary for one of them. If that comes out nice we may do it for more of them. We had so much fun recording the 2 plus hours of commentary. (If the producer is reading this blog entry then e-mail me where thats up to!)

If anyone saw the latest J.E. Magazine you know that there are many new artists looking to put out debut albums. The ones listed there aren’t even the bulk of them. There are so many more solo and group CD’s in the works we need flash cards to keep track of them.

Speaking of the J.E. Magazine, I’ve been meaning to write a new article for some times now, but I just havent really thought of a good topic. If you have a suggestion please leave it in the comments section. I was thinking a topic about how to convince your non Jewish Music listening friends that there is a lot of really great Jewish music out there.

Sameach itself is working on a bunch of top secret (and again really cool) albums. I’ve been involved in all those CD’s (as has Hillel and Tzachi) and I think what comes out will be a great combination of all our diverse tastes in music. We each love different artists and styles of music and I think that will make for a special album. (and no we’re not singing!! lol)

So that’s the update, expect some good things this year and I’ll try to come back and blog more often. One last thing, if anyone is in the need for logo’s or an ad or a brochure or posters or a business card or even web design – I do outside jobs as well. You can fill out a job request form at this website.

I don’t charge a lot, I have a quick turnaround and my portfolio speaks for itself.