SWIM: Above And Beneath

Swim

Above And Beneath

© 2001 Joshua Kobak (783707389721)

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Intelligent acoustirock that ripples time and speaks the truth with passionate Buckley-esque vocals set against vast landscapes of world influenced rhythms with bold colors and poetic harmonies reflecting a journey through life.

tracks

1 Fall Into The Sea
2 Freedom
3 Rhyme
4 Something Here
5 Music
6 Drought
7 I'm Sorry
8 Remain
9 Anomoly
10 Maya
11 Swimming
12 Sailing Over The Ocean
13 The Fall
14 Amethyst (live)

notes

"All of my life I will proudly be swimming
Landscape and city and all of this sea
swimming through all that's above and beneath
harbor to harbor and reef to reef"

swim is a pseudonym for live, to live within the vibration of life and sound, to swim within it. The music of swim could be characterized as a hybrid of Jeff Buckley and Bono singing songs written/arranged by Peter Gabriel and Sting, and produced by Pink Floyd. swim has been in existence since 1995 and has evolved into the six-member band who created the album above and beneath. They are a group of elevationists called "an excellent ensemble" by Relic magazine after their 1998 performance in Amsterdam, Holland.

After much growth and evolution over the past six years, swim melded into the perfect union of artists to complete above and beneath in 2001. Joshua Kobak leads the way as the singer/songwriter frontman using his passionate vocals and visionary lyrics as a canvas for his bandmates. Adding bold colors to the music, Katy Pfaffl (Katy Pfaffl Band) joins swim as a violinist, pianist and guitarist sharing her spirit through intense improvisation and angelic vocals. As the backbone of swim, Sean Dixon's (The Chesterfields) creative approach to the drums brings a symphonic texture to every song where bassist Danton Boller (Jazz Mandolin Project) exists deep in the pocket in effortless harmony. Together they create vast landscapes and original grooves. Taking the music to a new level, Dan Johnson on tabla and Sebastian Guerrero on numerous South American percussion instruments add a world of influential beats and colors to Joshua's melodic songwriting.

Joshua Kobak is a New Yorker by way of Cincinnati, Milwaukee, and his hometown of Medina Ohio. Armed with his guitar and pen, he has traveled cross-continentally on motorcycles, swung sledgehammers in factories, ridden subway cars in the earliest hours of the morning, and has been on the brightest stages in front of thousands and in the smallest clubs for less than a dozen. Along the way, he picked up the rhythms of those trains, the clang of the hammers, the wind on the roads and a following of people across the country who have heard him do what he does best.

Recently, he toured with the Broadway show RENT for a year and a half as Roger/swing. "Kobak exhibits a stunning vocal range as the down and out guitarist" (Arkansas Democrat Gazette). He performed in Canada and Japan as well as the United States. Following his truest passion, Joshua would arrive in a new city each week and find himself a solo gig for the weekend. He did this in nearly 40 cities and as the RENT tour came to a close in July of 2001, Joshua booked a six week 33 performance tour on his own starting at The Railway Club, in Vancouver, BC and ending at CBGB'S 313 NYC. The tour was a success and now the mailing list extends coast to coast. While in Chicago, at Uncommon Grounds Coffee House Joshua was asked to return in November 2001 to play the annual Jeff Buckley tribute concert. Where "Josh sang from the depth of his soul, connecting every chord and word in soft, sensitive recurrences of Jeff's work. He was able to keep the same harmony and flow that Buckley did, while still spilling his own emotion through the music." (Kylee Nelson, jeffbuckley.com Nov. 2001)

Joshua has done something rare and courageous with swim, he has stepped out into the center of the arena to open his unique sound to the world. swim is a band of creative artists who are committed to telling the story of Joshua's journey in words and music. They share knowledge gained from Joshua's experience in a way that is open, immediate and above all truthful. The vibrations of the sound are clear, above and beneath, now there is only one thing to do...swim.

reviews

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  • Joshua Kobak is AMAZING!
    author: Andrea

    His voice is amazing on the CD and it is even better on stage and in person! But this CD definently reflects his talent! Amazing!

  • I love joshua kobacks unique style and voice! amazing music!
    author: Katelyn

    Does anyone know when "When I'm Big" will be on a cd, the song that joshua koback performed at showstoppers at medina high school!? it is amazing!!! I need to hear it again it was so beautiful!

  • I love joshua kobacks unique style and voice! amazing music!
    author: Katelyn

    Does anyone know when "When I'm Big" will be on a cd, the song that joshua koback performed at showstoppers at medina high school!? it is amazing!!! I need to hear it again it was so beautiful!

  • ABSOLUTELY AMAZING
    author: Chelsea

    The music is so deep. It really examines every part of life through beutifully written poetry... I would buy another one of their CDs anytime..

  • This cd is AWSOME !!!!
    author: Jeremy Kushnier

    This cd is such a wonderful mix of melody and music. The artistry behind it is nothing short of brilliant. I bought my copy as soon as it came out and if you don't have it yet, don't think, get it!!! The last song is my personal favorite.

  • Best cd ever!!!
    author: Sarah

    I love this cd!!! It is 10 times better than I thought possible!!!!

  • One Man Band
    author: Erica

    Joshua Koback is a one man band. This album is incrediblely poetic. His voice is right on the money.

  • Music for Anytime, Anywhere...
    author: Alison

    Simply put, this is one of the best CDs I have ever purchased. Swim's talent creates a CD that you don't need to be in any sort of mind-frame to listen to, unlike many other musicians whose music is only digestable when you feel like listenting to something of that emotional level. Above and Beneath is an uplifting and optimistic album that stands out from other musical acts who follow the norm and prefer to sing about lost loves, death, and of course...things of a sexual nature. Swim has created a CD that allows the listener to project their own ideas and feelings into the music, instead of shoving the meaning of the content down everyone's throats, making for a great listening experience. This album leaves the listener refreshed and more optimistic, and ready to deal with life and just...swim through it. Thank you, Swim!

  • lighthouse of talent in the modern storm of corporate artistry
    author: kevin hickey

    it is so welcome to hear real music again. music that has a genuine connection to the artists and the artists to their art. this album will ruin you for all those top 40 mechanized soulless corporate bubblegummers the media force feeds us. the passion and dedication to the music can be heard and felt. every song stands out. i am a vicious skeptic and very critical and was seriously impressed.

  • Awesome, love Josh koback
    author: Evelyn Lynn Ellis

    After seeing rent in NYC, I knew that I wanted more of Josh Kobak's wonderful voice! Swim is excellent!

  • I love this CD!
    author: Heather

    Joshua Kobak is so talented, and he puts so much into all of his songs, and it shows. The whole sound of the band is like nothing you've ever heard before, with the soft violin and the aggressive percussion meshing perfectly. There's a song for every mood, and you can never get tired of listening to them over and over again. The songs are completely original, and when I listened to Freedom, I really did feel like I had heard it before. Although, that might be because my friend was playing the CD in the car, once.

  • I love this CD!
    author: Emma

    Above and Beneath is extremely different from anything I've ever owned before. While usually there are only one or two tracks on a CD that I listen to, I think every song on this album is worth listening to. The CD is pretty versatile too, there are some really beautiful slower songs (Amythest) that serve your most mellow moods, and then there are tracks like Fall Into the Sea which has a crazy exotic drumbeat that completely lifts you up. Above and Beneath is definitely an album that I think everyone ever should have in his/her collection. : )

  • Amazing!
    author: Joanne

    I often find it difficult to put into words just how much I love this CD. When I first heard it, I knew nothing of Swim's music. Within a couple of hours of getting it, I loved every track for all different reasons. The tight percussion and gorgeous violin accent the smooth and soaring vocals. Each song on this CD has been my favorite at some point, whether it be because of the catchy rhythms, the inspirational and poetic lyrics, the addictive vocals or everything all at once! This CD is a completely unique and amazing musical experience that everyone should have!

  • Magnificent piece of work!
    author: Lauren-Teabags

    I first heard of this CD through a friend and thought I'd give it a listen and I totally fell in love with it. Every song has a different vibe. Joshua said at a gig "it goes above and beneath" Some of the above songs are Maya, Music, and Rhyme they just make ya feel good! Some beneath songs are I'm Sorry & Drought, Which you could listen to when your down. You will get your monies worth with this CD, It's become my favorite CD and Swim my new favorite band.

  • This CD is amazing!
    author: Taylor

    This CD is absolutely amazing. Joshua Kobak and the rest of his band tear the house down on their first release. It's earthy feel gives it a quality that not many other albums have. Joshua has proved himself an amazing performer while touring with RENT, but he proves he is just as breathe taking as a solo artist. Do yourself a HUGE favor and buy this album. And if you live in NYC, check them out live.

  • Breathtaking
    author: Emily

    Each song on this CD has a perfect match for any mood you could possibly ever experience and feel. It's a soundtrack to your life, with its haunting lyrics to "I'm Sorry", to its grinning melodies of "Rhyme," I find it hard to stop listening to this CD!

  • Beautiful, Honest, and Innovative
    author: Cristin

    Every song on this CD is a perfect trip to whatever place Joshua Kobak and his band want to take you. You can't resist the pull of Joshua's incredible, passionate voice and lyrics, Katy Pfaffl's gorgeous back-up vocals and violin, or the rest of the band's percussive, dynamic sound.

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