Chanukah music in reggae style

By Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel

Sheldon Foster Merel

ENCINITAS, California — You’re just in time for a Chanukah treat with the release of the new CD album, “The Festival of Lights.” It blends popular Chanukah Hebrew folk songs and Jamaican reggae musical styles with singers and an eclectic group of instruments: Horns , Piano, Percussion, Guitar, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Drums ,Vocals, and Bass, the latter of which is the favorite instrument of David Gould, the composer, engineer and producer.

The CD features the Temple Rockers and captures the joy of Chanukah ,and lest you don’t know , like me, Reggae music is originally from Jamaica and combines native styles with elements of rock and soul music with moderate tempos and accents on the off beat.

The CD will have you dancing around with the flickering candle lights, especially after blessing the Chanukah candles. It features iconic Jamaican Reggae singers from the 70s and 80s : Lieval Thompson, Wayne Jarrett, and also David Gould and his sister, Lisa. I enjoyed hearing the Reggae musical twists of  Oh Chanukah , S’vivon (Spin Dem), Pour the Oil, Who can Retell, Rock of Ages, I have a little dreidel, and other familiar tunes.

David Gould’s deep understanding of Reggae musical styles, plus memories of Chanukah songs he learned growing up in a conservative Jewish family naturally drew him to make this unique recording as a cultural exchange. He composed arrangements to blend the Jewish folk songs with Reggae moods, flavor and rhythms. The recording is authentic Reggae with a pleasing upbeat sound,and some unexpected “Scat “ vocals.

Reggae music originated with the Rastas movement , a Black minority youth subculture and religious movement that arose in the ghettos of Kingston, Jamaica in the 1950s. Males grow hair in long dreadlocks (like side curls worn by orthodox Jews) and wear woolen caps and Jewish symbols, smoke marijuana and listen to reggae music. Many of their folk songs are about the Bible, and some believe they are one of the lost tribes of Israel.

These similarities of dress and reference to Old Testament of the Rastas music appealed to David Gould. He considered this recording project his real calling, and loves the blending of musical traditions and its cross –cultural connection.

I enjoyed listening to the Temple Rockers and hope you will too. It will lighten up Chanukah. The album, “The Temple Rockers Festival of Lights” can be ordered on line either for streaming individual cuts, or the album.

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Merel is cantor emeritus of Congregation Beth Israel in San Diego.  He may be contacted via sheldon.merel@sdjewishworld.com

1 thought on “Chanukah music in reggae style”

  1. This sounds like lots of fun. Thank you for covering this and for giving us info on how to order this eclectic CD.

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