The debut album from Rogers Park is on the way, and the title track of the album, “The Maggid” says everything you would want to know about this talented new band out of Chicago and it’s fresh yet classic folk sound.

In Europe there would be individuals who would go from town to town as storytellers, bringing tales of light and hope to local villagers in hard to reach places. Rogers Park brings this age-old tradition into our modern world and tells these stories and shares these lessons through song and music. Making a name for themselves by traveling nonstop to small Jewish communities all across the United States, Israel, Canada, and Europe over the past four years, the duo is ready to release their debut album featuring a mix of covers such as Moshe Yess’ “Pushka” and their own original compositions sung in sweet two-part harmony.

After becoming an internet sensation thanks to their viral videos and feel-good, upbeat songs like “Sukkah Falling” and “The Holy One”, the band was awarded “Continuum Theatre’s Best Chicagoland Jewish Band 2014”.

Rogers Park endeavors to take the deepest Jewish and Chassidic teachings and bring them to Jewish people of all walks of life. This is done through tasteful poetic interpretations sung in heart-warming vocal harmony and upbeat joyous arrangement.

Kurtz explains “We tried to put everything that we have from our knowledge of Chassidus and our experience working with Jewish communities on college campuses and throughout America into every song we write. For example, track 7 “The Fisherman (From Vitebsk) draws on a character introduced in the Previous Rebbe’s Memoirs who exemplified the traits of sincerity, faith, and humility so central to the lifestyle of Chassidim. The title track “The Maggid” tells the story of an individual searching far and wide to find his path only to discover that his path is to be found right in his own backyard. “The Holy One” takes the famous Chabad niggun “Nyet Nyet Nikavo” and interprets it with a unique folk spin.

We strive to bring the deepest and purest teachings in a way that goes straight to one’s heart and soul.”

The album was engineered and produced by Chicago producers Daniel Salcido and Matt Dougherty.  Ruby Harris, of the Diaspora Yeshiva Band fame, adds original Jewish rock flavor on violin, mandolin, and electric guitar throughout the album.

“The Maggid” is distributed by Aderet and is due out January 19th Just in time for Yud Shvat.

Up until the release date, you can pre-order a signed copy of the debut album by contributing 25$ to the Rogers Park Jewcer campaign here: http://jewcer.com/project/rogers-park-debut-album.

Look for it wherever Jewish music is sold or online at www.MostlyMusic.com.

For more information follow them on Facebook www.facebook.com/rogersparkband, or email rogersparkband@gmail.com.

Fans of the popular Mitzvah Blvd DVD series will spot something new on the shelves… but wait, it looks different!

Torah Treasure presents Mitzvah Blvd Songs CD, now available wherever Jewish music is sold.

Producer Chaim Hershkowitz explains that over the years he would constantly get asked about putting all the songs from the first 3 Mitzvah Blvd. DVDs on a single Audio CD. “As I was walking back from Fitche Benshimon’s studio with the finished CD in my hand, I got a text from an old friend asking about putting the songs on CD. I finally was able to say give me a few days.”

The CD features the talented Chaim Fogelman singing all 21 songs from the Mitzvah Blvd series. “Chaim has a way of singing that is both clear and joyful. The songs took on another dimension than just the DVDs,” says Chaim Hershkowitz. Infused with Mitzvah Blvd. flavor, the cast of puppets add some nice commentary between the songs.

A special thank you to Dovid and Malkie Smetana for their continued support to make this all happen.

The new Lubavitch music star Boruch Sholom Blesfosky will be releasing his first album next week • Watch Promo, Photos

Just in time for Shavous, the much anticipated follow-up to the highly acclaimed Chabad piano albums “TOTALLY CHASSIDIC” and “A NIGGUN IS FOREVER” by master pianist and musician YARON GERSHOVSKY, “Yom Tov Farbrengen” (now live on iTuneshttps://itunes.apple.com/us/album/yom-tov-farbrengen/id994280697) covers the magnificent melodies of the Rebbes of Chabad as sung at Farbrengen at the conclusion of Rosh Hashana, Simchat Torah, Pesach, and Shavuos. Produced by Zalman Goldstein of “CHABAD CLASSICS” fame, the solo piano album features the following order of niggunim:

1. SHOLOSH T’NUOS — The Baal Shem Tov, Mezritcher Maggid, Alter Rebbe
2. KELI ATOH — The Alter Rebbe
3. KAPELYE — The Mitteler Rebbe
4. Y’MIN HASHEM — The Tzemach Tzedek
5. L’CHATCHILA ARIBER — The Rebbe Maharash
6. NIGGUN HACHONO — The Rebbe Rashab
7. BEINUNI — The Frierdiker Rebbe
8. ATOH V’CHARTONU — The Rebbe
9. NIGGUN DALED BOVOS — The Alter Rebbe
10. NYE ZHERITZI CHLOPTZI — Traditional Chassidic

On the origin of the custom to sing the niggunei rabbeinu n’sieinu at the conclusion of Yom Tov, producer Zalman Goldstein shares the following: “At the main Farbrengen on the second day of Rosh Hashana 5715 (1954), the Rebbe related the following: ‘My father-in-law [the previous Rebbe] related in a talk that his father [the Rebbe Rashab] would reference all the Rebbes of Chabad during the two days of Rosh Hashana, either by sharing a word of Torah that they taught or by relating a story about them. In another talk the [previous] Rebbe said that when one sings a song that another composed, cherished, or was very attached to, the singer connects with the soul of that person in an attachment deeper than achieved through intellect alone. We should therefore sing a niggun (song) from each of the Rebbes, one they either composed or cherished.’ Chassidim extend this custom to include Farbrengen at the conclusion of Simchat Torah, Pesach, and Shavuot. The niggunim Daled Bovos (Track 9) and Nye Zheritzi Chloptzi (Track 10) were sung at the conclusion of all major Farbrengen and are customarily preceded by the Niggun Hachono (Track 06).”

The 40+ minute seminal CD is now in stores, and can also be ordered at www.ChabadMusic.com.