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Nigun Ga'aguim by Yosef Gutman Levitt

From the album

Album Title: Shir Yedidot
Soul Song Records
Released: 2025

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About the Album

"Nigun Ga'aguim" emerges from the repertoire on Shir Yedidot that moves between Chabad nigunim (Hasidic wordless melodies) and original compositions. This piece exemplifies Levitt's approach of "neither stripping the music of its roots nor forcing it into a modern frame, but letting it find its own new space." Featuring Yonathan Avishai on piano, the renowned ECM recording artist brings "distinct sensitivity and improvisational finesse as he merges Western and Yemenite-inspired tonalities, creating patterns that feel both fresh and rooted." Yoed Nir on cello adds harmonic depth to this contemplative piece. The track showcases Levitt's unique five-string acoustic bass guitar, built by Harvey Citron (Steve Swallow's luthier), on which he's developed "a warm, singing, bell-like high-register tone with a focus on simple, direct, expressive melodies." This nigun speaks with voices that have been carried through generations, part of melodies "adorned with prayer and tears for two thousand years." Recorded and mixed by Stefano Amerio, this piece reflects the Soul Song label's mission to create music that stimulates the imagination through performances from the soul.

Tracks

Pode El Hashem; Ya Lach Nafshi; Nigun Gaaguim; Shir Yedidut 117; Azamer Bishvachin; Burning Fire; The Shepherd; Nigun Simcha; Shfal Ruach; Ve'Hacohanim; Shir Yedidut 259; Shir Yedidut 157.

Personnel

Reviews

Shir Yedidot by Mike Jurkovic

Date featured

October 5, 2025

This song appears by permission of the contributing artist and/or record company. It is for personal use only; no other rights are granted or implied.