Steve Lieberman The Gangsta Rabbi: DiKtatoR 17

Have you ever heard a song on the radio and wondered how that artist managed to get a record contract? That’s the feeling that Steve Lieberman The Gangsta Rabbi’s newest album, DikTatoR 17, leaves the listener with.

Upon seeing an artist who refers to himself as “The Gangsta Rabbi,” one’s first assumption might be that this is someone along the same lines as Matisyahu. After seeing track titles such as “Crank That Kosher Boy,” an obvious play on the song “Crank That Soulja Boy,” one might think they’re in for listening to a Weird Al Yankovich parody-style album. Neither of these is the case.

Instead, what the listener gets with DikTator 17 is a twenty-two-song album that falls flat on every account...MORE

Jacob Merlin: Alchemy of Soul

If you’re looking for just an all-around stellar album, Jacob Merlin’s Alchemy of Soul is it.

From beginning to end, Alchemy of Soul delivers a sucker-punch of great music. The songs are fun and energized, while maintaining the mellowness typical of R&B. However, this album is by no means generic R&B.

The R&B/jazz scene tends to be very guitar-driven, with other instruments serving primarily as complements to the guitar. On Alchemy of Soul, however, this isn’t the case. Instead, it’s the songs revolve more around the trumpet and keyboards/piano, which adds a certain flair to the music.

Throughout, the album never loses its energy, and manages to completely draw in the listener...MORE