Customer Reviews

So Called Seder: A Hip Hop Haggadah

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

DJ So-Called (aka Josh Dolgin) has put together a clever project that brings together some incredible musicans for a hip-hop Passover seder. Also a musician with klezmer maestro David Krakauer, So-Called laces hip-hop beats with klezmer music for a goodtime that both youngsters and their grandparents would probably dig.

2005 has really shaped up to be quite a year for Jewish-alternative music. First, Latino-Jewish crew Hip Hop Hoodios blew me away with their full length debut "Agua Pa' La Gente", which fuses funk, hip-hop, Rock en Espanol, klezmer, and sephardic melodies. Then Balkan Beat Box crashed the party with their excellent debut, which likewise has a great 'everything but the kitchen sink' aesthetic. It's nice to see that Jewish music is finally coming around in a manner that will appeal to hipper audiences. I'll be curious to see what 2006 brings....

I had to chime in after seeing how this had a low rating based mostly on people not liking the language, which I don't think are profane or bothersome. To the contrary, it adds a degree of emphasis to the pieces, and is barely heard across record as a whole. The other reviews seem to give it low ratings because people expected to hear a connection with other "similar" artists. Socalled's music is highly original and this record follows suit, so throw out expectations of it sounding like someone else. It ties together so many unlikely subjects with a highly realized vision that makes the music accessible, educational, beautiful, and fun. I can't wait to see what he will do next and thank him for bringing me closer to understanding Judaism through fun, creativity and first-rate musicianship. Oh, and you gotta love the packaging too!

I loved the hip hop / yiddish music mix ! Great hybrid music, it's inspired, you can feel the meticulous work behind it. I read socalled's got like 4000 jewish music albums and well, it shows!
See also Ghettoblaster...

Hey folks, this is brilliant and all, like the articles say, but what they don't mention is that it's impossible to listen to. There are no verses, choruses, or even beats to speak of. There are no songs. It's just a sound collage or something, from start to finish. The booklet prints lyrics but I couldn't find 'em. This music is too brilliant for its own good. And you can forget about using it as party or background music. JDub's other offerings are much better.

I love Balkan Beatbox and Matisyahu.. but "so called seder" was a so called... nightmare!

I was actually appalled I had purchased it without hearing many of the songs. I know it's acceptable to say certain things in rap/hip-hop.. but when it comes to our music.. please don't even go there!!

I was hoping for something more along the lines of Balkan Beatbox or Matisyahu, but sadly suprised at the lyrics I was hearing and sent it back to J-Dub with a letter why.. *sigh*

Worth every penny. So Called has talent and has great beats, and funny lyrics, and are just enjoyable to listen to, especially with the knowlegde of Judaism. I saw So Called live, and it was the funkiest, funniest, and was a ton of fun. So pass out for passover!

I Love the mix of techno, rap and old school Yiddish songs.
My kids even love this one!!

GREAT CD!!!! IF YOU LIKE JEWISH MUSIC AND URBAN STYLES THIS IS TEH BEST OPTION, IS A CD WIITH CONCEPT I LOVE IT!!!!

I got this CD when I was the Youth Director at a JCC. I thought it would be perfect for the teens to get into Passover. Boy was I wrong. In the very first song, the N-word is dropped. As a Black Jewish woman I was so offended. I quickly threw the CD out. I expected so much more.

I was thinking about getting this for my elementary school kids to listen to. Something they would enjoy more than the usual sappy Passover music for kids. Thank goodness I listened to the clip of the final track. The song seems to be about a bad hangover after drinking too much wine (not a bad message) but I'm not about to play the "f***" word in my mini-van.
In another 6 or 8 years, however, I think they'll love it.