by Joslyn Layne
A translation of The Alter Rebbe's Nigun into the modern (future) music of a post-punk world, this album is an intriguing sound representation of each of the four worlds, or levels, of creation as outlined in the Jewish religious text, Tanya (the written law of Chabad Hasidic teaching). Niginah are Hasidic melodies traditionally composed by Jewish spiritual leaders for Sabbath and holidays. The music of this album is based around the concept of the magnum opus of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (the Alter Rebbe), his "nigun of four movements," or "the Alter Rebbe's Nigun." Former Orthodox Hasidic students of the Tanya, Oren Ambarchi and Robbie Avenaim -- also of the Australian punk group Phlegm -- give a sonic recreation that is by no means traditional, but through its irreverence, manages to capture something: a mystical listening journey through realms and different layers. This is effective for ears that've been worked over, musically; for the more irreverent and hardcore ears. ... Read More...