HYIM: Hyim And The Fat Foakland Orchestra

Hyim

Hyim And The Fat Foakland Orchestra

© 2005 Hyim Jacob Ross (707541755122)

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URBAN WORLD BEAT: "Hyim is a formidable talent...a hippie child who grew up hip-hop, his music smoothly assimilates such disparate sources as Jamaican reggae, Cuban son, Brazilian rhythms, Mediterranean beats and urban DJ techniques. Spellbinding." San

notes

Hyim (pronounced: "high-eem") named his newest self-produced album after his band: Hyim And The Fat Foakland Orchestra (aka HATFFO). Of significance, the Oakland-based band was nominated for a California Music Award in 2004 based solely on their jaw-dropping live show. "Yeah, I like to see the people shake their thing," he says. Getting an average of 12,000 hits on the hyimvibe.com website a week, Hyim's fan-base seems to be expanding at a big-bang ratio. Increased downloads of his debut album, "Let Out A Little Peace" [2003] and the amount of buzz in the Bay Area and throughout California (he played the grandstand stage at 2004's High Sierra Music Festival as well as other impressive venues) around this new sound suggests that this is the "take off" album for Hyim's lifelong career. Dubbed "the ever-evolving eclectic maestro" (Malina Sarah Saval, The Forward, New York), Hyim, a Yamaha sponsored artist, calls his music Urban World Beat. Retailers suggest this 15-track studio album go in the "rock" or "pop" category. "He's a hip-hop generation Peter Gabriel," suggests a KPFA DJ. On the album, released in April 2005, hip-hop beats meet live string arrangements and orchestrated horn sections compliment pulsating reggaeton piano montunos. Hyim, Hebrew for "life," is a performer, composer, pianist, poet, dancer, playwright, guitar player, percussionist, and last but not least: producer extraordinaire.

"I've been compared to everyone from Eddie Palmieri to Eminem, Jamiroquai to Manu Chao, Wyclef Jean to Dave Matthews. But I can shake my thing better than Dave Matthews," Hyim laughs. He would know. His main-man bassist on the album and in performance, Mark Calderon, played with Dave's drummer Carter Beauford (as well as the legendary guitarist Leo Neocentelli of The Meters). It seems Hyim, also a teacher and Reki practitioner, is already amongst the accomplished. He plays keys for Jennifer Johns, who tours singing for Blackalicious and KRS-1. HATFFO's drummer, Michael Faiella, has played with Wyclef Jean, while the percussionists of the crew (Ajayi Jackson and Pablo Soto) have played with Omar Sosa, John Santos, and Antibalas, just to name a few. This highly anticipated album is an evolution in the musical chain. When performing live without his band, Hyim loops himself playing most of his instruments-it is something to see. The critics rave, the fans move, and Hyim's label, Family Productions, is pushing Hyim and the new album, Hyim and the Fat Foakland Orchestra, through every speaker and into every ear drum it can get it's musical wings into.

reviews

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  • yes yes yes
    author: shem t.

    this music is so full. lyrically it's universal modern poetry. the arrangements are exceptional and the devotion to being unique without forced is so elegant it's clear how far ahead of his time this guy is...of course the musicians are so solid and the poduction is dope. kids like it, ladies like it, i love it. i could go on and on. hyim is a talented man. may he continue to bless us with more music. thank you!

  • Unique and so good.
    author: Jason D.

    Unique and so good. The vibe is so on point and the production is dope. Hyim comes correct. His last album was good too, but the production on this one is the next level. He is speaking to the whole world with these songs. Right on Hyim!!!

  • Brilliant!!
    author: Sahsha Tellaia

    This music is like nothing I have heard before. Each song is different! I am already looking for more. It's happy it's sad it's funny it's smart it's sexy and it's real.

  • Hyim, the self-proclaimed "eclectic maestro," has made it tough for any naysayer
    author: Owl Magazine

    Original and honest are the first words that come to mind after hearing the music of Hyim, the multi-talented singer-songwriter from San Francisco, and his new album Hyim and the Fat Foakland Orchestra. This is music from the soul made with talented musicians, unique instrumentations and refreshing arrangements. Hyim explores the avenues of latin, hip-hop, jazz and funk music with some middle-eastern overtones in a cohesive fusion that feels surprisingly natural. This album sheds the confines of genre and could be filed under the label "good music." The album opens with "Sunny Day," a celebratory song reminiscent of Ozomatli with a full horn section and percussion made for your boom-box on the beach or your car stereo on your way to a weekend getaway. There is also a dub version of the song at the end of the album. On "Change A Come," Hyim creates a mellow electronic groove that has a timeless beat and thought provoking lyrics. A song that you can't help but bob your head to, "I Lay My Heart" is another lyrical gem and a love song that is bound to render an emotional response from the listener. There are 15 quality songs on this album providing music for any mood or occasion. Hyim, the self-proclaimed "eclectic maestro," has made it tough for any naysayers with this album. Musicians and music lovers alike will thoroughly appreciate this effort. - Craig Van Dyke

  • Music to bring happiness
    author: Marnilla

    Having heard the lead track on a local music compilation, I was already yearning for more. The Hyim CD was no let down. Track after track I found myself smiling. This is great music to be bring up your spirits, but also as a background noise on the soundtrack of your life. When they make the movie of my life, I want Hyim's songs featured in key moments. Very individual, catchy, innovative and fresh. I can't wait for the next offering from this talented young man (and his friends).

  • Hyim's music holds a rare gravity...and it is clear that he possesses a grand vi
    author: Relix Magazine, November 2004

    Hyim—Hebrew for “life”— [creates] a pendulum of styles and feelings, swinging between sunny mento rhythms, spiraling Cuban son, urgent hip-hop manifestos, and pensive balladry—quite a sweeping achievement! Though the album sports several ecstatic party-starters, its most striking aspect is its profound emotional depth. Hyim's music holds a rare gravity...and it is clear that he possesses a grand vision.

  • Hyim is a formidable talent...Spellbinding.
    author: San Francisco Chronicle

    Hyim is a formidable talent...a hippie child who grew up hip-hop, his music smoothly assimilates such disparate sources as Jamaican reggae, Cuban son, Brazilian rhythms, Mediterranean beats and urban DJ techniques. Spellbinding.

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