Album Notes

"Quite simply, Niki Jacobs has one of the nicest voices for singing Yiddish I've heard in a long time...one of the best of the new Yiddish folksong ensembles."
-- (klezmershack.com)

Holland-based NIKITOV is an acoustic ensemble that plays Yiddish songs and Klezmer accented by the rhythms and sounds of Gypsy Jazz and Eastern European folk music. The band plays with a unique approach harnessing the drive and energy of these traditions while capturing the emotion and depth of the Yiddish text. Featuring beautiful vocal interpretations by Niki Jacobs backed by a powerhouse acoustic group.

Nikitov's debut CD on Chamsa Records marks a distinctive artistic statement in their style. Produced without overdubs and with a live sound in mind, the band throws out studio trickery in favor of simplicity, allowing the songs and arrangements to speak for themselves. A sublime and folky vocal style merges with energetic accompaniment and improvisations that find their way deep into the songs. The result is a subtlety not often heard in today's Klezmer and Jewish music market!

"Amulet is wonderful. Beautiful music, great singing."
-- Terry O'Laughlin (dj on WORT-FM in Madison, WI)

"I didn't want the CD to be over and as soon as it was, I started it again. Wonderful, everything about it, choice of pieces, musicianship, voice."
-- Carol Newman (KMUN Radio in Astoria, OR)

"A beautiful CD by a group of highly skilled musicians."
-- (folkworld.de)

Niki Jacobs - voice
Jelle van Tongeren - violin
Adam Good - acoustic guitar
Jason Sypher - acoustic bass