HYIM: Let Out A Little Peace

Hyim

Let Out A Little Peace

© 2003 Hyim Jacob Ross (659057421520)

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The young Oakland native puts a contemporary spin on jazz, Latin and Caribbean styles, giving them a fun and funky downtown edge, which Hyim himself describes as "urban world beat." --S.F. Examiner

tracks

1 Let Out a Little Peace
2 Micorphone Preacher
3 Let Me Go
4 Do Your Own Thing
5 It's So Pathetic
6 Here in Babylon
7 Puff Puff Pass
8 Musings of the Beast
9 Surrender
10 Surrender (reprise)
11 What Do You Say?
12 You Are Forgiven
13 Angel Roonie
14 Mountain Moon
15 Piano for Ashly

notes

To life! Oakland native Hyim seems worldly beyond his years. His debut album, Let Out a Little Peace (Family Productions), is laden with stylistic juxtapositions that in less-talented hands might self-negate into triteness but here add up to an insightful, introspective elegy on the tragic beauty of modern life. Romantic solo piano pieces like "Microphone Preacher" and "Angel Ronnie" rub up tenderly against ecstatic, full-ensemble celebrations like "Let Me Go," "Puff Puff Pass," and the epic, instantly classic title track. This blend of pathos and humor, soulful voice and mournful piano, and urban grief and folk optimism makes for a very inspiring listen. Add in poetic, socially conscious lyrics set against a frequently lush and exotic backdrop of Cuban son, calypso, blues, hip-hop, and rock, and it's hard to deny the almost spiritual spell Hyim (Hebrew for "life") weaves into his music. Live, he's backed by The Fat Foakland Orchestra, which includes Afro-Caribbean percussion, drums, horns, and bass.
-- Jonathan Zwickel, San Francisco Bay Guardian




(((CHECK OUT THE REVIEWS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WEB PAGE)))

HYIM'S BIO
Hyim (Hebrew for "Life"), a San Francisco born product of the Oakland Public Schools, is a singer, songwriter, piano and guitar player, producer, and arranger. Hyim's music, which he performs as a solo acoustic show, with a trio, or in ensemble stage shows as "Hyim And The Fat Foakland Orchestra," reflects the diversity of his hometown. His urban sound is rhythmically intricate while incredibly melodically accessible; combining his palate with Pop, Afro-Cuban, Folk, Hip-Hop, Reggae, Jazz, and World Beat. Perhaps imagine the voice of a young Sting who grew up in the hip-hop generation, coupled with the eclectic vision of a Manu Chao.

Hyim's debut album, Let Out A Little Peace, is being unanimously celebrated. As two reviewers have written:

On "Let Out A Little Peace" Oakland native Hyim invites you into his eclectic musical world and it's a doozy of a journey. Inside you will find piano ballads, love songs and world music explorations all woven together with an articulate pop songcraft. Absolutely mesmerizing and memorable. Hyim invites you to let out a little peace with him. --Royce Oz, Ear Witness

...His ability to speak to the human experience is powerful. His music is full of passion and depth and makes us all feel our own joy, humor, love, and sadness. In the process, he refreshingly reminds us what music is about - he moves us and connects us with each other! He is a brilliant talent who I want to grow with in this album and whatever is next. -Elan Masliyah, RainmakerMedia


Hyim wrote his first song on the piano at the age of three. "Yeah, my dad cried when he used to hear me way back then," he says with a smile. "I think that inspired and continues to inspire me a lot. Watching my father play the piano with his big hands is what got me started." You could say that his father has also deeply influenced his political and spiritual understandings. "My father's murder when I was ten pushed me to ask a lot of intense questions quite early, as well as to learn lessons of peace in dealing with my rage and sadness."

Hyim's diversity of talents has given him a treasure of experience. He has written music for other artists, ranging from Hip-Hop (Mystro, Hieroglyphics' Pep-Love, and others), to R & B (Jennifer Johns, Tanya Hall), to Folk Music (Chick Bataille, Adina Sara) to numerous projects for internationally touring dance company Dandelion Dance Theater. Hyim has written the music for and toured both the West and East Coast with Soular Synergy, as well as produced and performed with The Rock Bottom Players.

This past year Hyim has put himself into music school. "It assures me a space to nurture my skills and talents for the longer span of my career. I want to do it right," he says. "The Fat Foakland Orchestra is a project that will be a sound unheard before, with a performance that will keep my fellow ADD/MTV generation peers on their toes." Indeed, the "Orchestra" in-full contains three percussionist/drummers, three horns (including a bassoon), two string instruments, a DJ, a stand up bass, three back-up singers (two of whom also rap), and the band leader Hyim, playing the ivories, guitar, microphone and at times, the pontificator. "Nah!" he laughs, "I just like to talk!" And at the shows, talk and dance he does. So bring your open minds to his solo performances and your dancing shoes when the trio or "Orchestra" is in town, and be ready for a good time.

reviews

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  • hes cool, what else can I say
    author: mike (again)

    i have known hyim for a couple of years and have found hyim to be an inspiration. hyim is a true poet and his music should be heard by EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Hyim is really really cool
    author: mike

    Hyun is cooler than words ITSELF

  • More than a little piece
    author: kathleen

    When I listen to hyim's 'let out a little peace' cd, I want to share the love that resonates from it with every living being on earth. It's beautiful, it's provocative, it makes me want to dance. Copies of this 'muse' for the beasts should be distributed to the White House and the Pentagon and played 24/7.

  • Absolutely mesmerizing and memorable...
    author: Ear Witness

    On “Let Out A Little Peace” Oakland native Hyim invites you into his eclectic musical world and it’s a doozy of a journey. Inside you will find piano ballads, love songs and world music explorations all woven together with an articulate pop songcraft. Absolutely mesmerizing and memorable. Hyim invites you to let out a little peace with him. --Royce Oz, Ear Witness

  • "Oakland Folk Music" is the perfect way to categorize this music.
    author: Kaymaria

    This CD reflects so much of what Oakland is--of what life is--of what we all are. It is soulful, spiritual, social, fun, sorrowful, playful, celebratory, passionate, multidimensional. If you take the time to check this CD out, you won't be able to resist picking up a copy and putting it in your rotation. The songs breathe truth and speak to the human experience. Gotta love that.

  • author: Bob

    Could not stop playing it. Just love to hear it.

  • Dope!
    author: bayareaballa

    This CD has been getting heavy rotation ever since I purchased it. Beautiful piano and guitar and a very soulful voice = an album that will stand the test of time. Hyim's lyrics indicate that he is spiritual man concerned for humanity. Keep the peace!

  • I wish it was a double Cd!!!
    author: a music fan

    My first listen took me through the whole album 3 times. It is unusual for a Cd, and particularly a "new" artist, to flow so seamlessly while demonstrating such emotional and musical range. Hyim's playful mix reminds me of the genre-bending genius Manu Chau. The simple and beautiful ballad Microphone Preacher is an early surprise, and my personal favorite. It gives me total confidence that Hyim will always be able to rely on his talents as a songwriter.... not to mention the sophisticated arrangements. Critically speaking, I felt the vocal performance and mix was not always as forceful as it could have been. That being said, it is well worth your time and money to explore this up and coming musical talent. I can't wait to hear the next album. His work will only grow richer with time.

  • the diversity of hyim's music is amazing...he has you hoppping and crying!

  • Hyim is a poet of song
    author: Annie

    Let out a little peace is full of soul, strength and beauty. Each song is poetry of music to experience and live.

  • i played this for my friends and they were like &$@$#!!!
    author: roberto

    i played this for my friends and they were like who is this cat? is he famous? i think he will be. this is music you can feel that people who dig soul, hip hop and just beautiful songs will be adding to their mixes... go hyim!

  • that microphone preacher cut is amazing!
    author: peter

    the cd is nice. hyim's voice is real passionate and full of love. that let me go joint will have you outta your seat for sure. did i mention that microphone preacher song? shit is tight, boy!

  • hyim's cd is exciting and inspirational
    author: rina

    hyim's cd is music to my soul! i had the opportunity to see a live performance and it was off the hook! talk about a party in the music. listen to it and remember, hanukkah and xmas are right around the corner!

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