The Shloime Dachs Official Website

The year 1996 will always be remembered in the annals of Jewish music history as the year of the "great revolution." It was the year that Shloime Dachs released his first album, "One Day at a Time," and we were privileged to discov
er a new talented vocalist and superb performing star. But Shloime's album represented something else as well. Because along with Shloime, a large group of outstanding artists, composers, musicians and producers burst forth upon the scene. And Jewish music hasn't been the same ever since.

Releasing "One Day at a Time" was somewhat of a risky venture for Shloime back then. He was a relative unknown in a field dominated by a few prominent superstars. Yet he was one of the first to break through the glass ceiling and was instantly catapulted to fame. Shloime's signature song, "Hamalach:" became a world-renowned classic. His warm delivery and sensitive singing style have led him to become one of the industry's most popular and sought-after performers.

Its hard to believe that it's only been five years since we've met Shloime Dachs. We're so comfortable with his musical persona that he seems to have been in our collective conscience for a very long time. Yet this is itself testimony to his remarkable career achievements. In five short years, Shloime has engraved himself onto our cultural landscape. He's not one of the new kids on the block anymore. He's now a prominent fixture.

Quite a lot has changed for Shloime over the past five years. For starters, he's easily considered among the preferred performers at concerts, wed-dings and live performances around the world. He has also released "Acheinu," his second record-breaking album. And he is currently at the thresh-old of introducing his third, "K'ish Echod." In an exclusive interview with Country Yossi Family Magazine, Shloime speaks about his career, his opportunities and the future of Jewish music. He has gained a sense of self-confidence and maturity that ultimately comes with being a voice for our people. And he reveals the far-reaching ripple effects of his outstanding success. Shloime is naturally humble, so forget about asking him what makes this new album special. Instead, pop it into your CD player and let the music speak for itself. The title song itself, "K'ish Echod," already establishes this as a classic recording. Shloime admits that "K'ish Echod," an irresistible and unforgettable horah, is one of his favorites. But it also represents the over-riding theme of the album - Jewish unity and solidarity. "It's a message that is relevant to all of us," points out Shloime, "both in our personal lives and in matters affecting all of Klal Yisroel. If we stand together as one, we can defeat all odds and overcome any obstacles."

"K'ish Echod" has all the elements of a timeless masterpiece. Lyrics and melody flow effortlessly. The song was composed by Yitzy Bald, whom Shloime credits for "rein-venting the horah in its present form." According to Shloime, "the horah is alive and well at weddings because of Yitzy. He took a traditional musical genre and imbued it with the spirit of a new generation."
This contemporary spirit continues to flow throughout the entire al-bum. In each song, Shloime elevates traditional musical styles to meet the discriminating tastes of the new millennium. "K'ayol" is a melody composed by Yitzy Waldner with a polished depth and complexity to it. The image of the "ayol" in Dovid Hamelech's Tehillim has captured the imagination of many. But this novel interpretation is perfectly suited for our sophisticated and refined tastes. "Ach Tov," by Yisroel Boruchov, is a genuine, upbeat simcha song. Its exhilarating pace follows a long and distinguished simcha-song tradition. Yet it's also original, refreshing and very today. And "Ki Lecha," by Pinky Weber, is a joyous and freilech chasunah melody, a distinctive composition that's perfectly suited to enhance the joy of many a chosson and kallah on their wedding day.

Shloime credits much of this al-bum's success to the collaborative efforts of the "Dream Team" of Jewish music- Yisroel, Yochi and Gideon. "K'ish Echod" is expertly arranged by Yisroel Lamm, perfectly produced by Yochi Briskman and skillfully engineered by Gideon Levine. "I stand in awe of these talented masters of the industry," says Shloime. "Each is a giant in his field." And each has made his everlasting and significant contribution. "Yochi has revolutionized the concept of being a drummer," says Shloime, "and has evolved into a full-fledged entertainer. Yisroel has years of experience yet continues to change with the times. And
Gideon, who coached me as I sang each song and arranged the choir, has one of the best musical ears in the business." Shloime
also expresses hakoras hatov to his vocal teacher, the great Cantor Hersh Einhorn, who has also been coaching Avraham Fried for the past 15 years. But it's ultimately Shloime Dachs himself who sets this album apart. His engaging demeanor and enjoyable singing style have endeared him to all - those who listen to his recordings and those who watch him perform. Gideon Levine is rightfully proud. "I've seen him in concert," says Gideon, "and I'm very impressed with how he handles the stage. Shloime's truly entered the big leagues. People really like to see him perform. And what's really interesting is the tremendous variety of people who are enjoying his show."

People like Michael who lives in Sao Paolo, Brazil. Michael was so mesmerized by Shloime's performance that he came backstage to meet him after the show. "During that concert, I told a story of a young boy with a serious illness who was also very poor," Shloime recalls. "Michael was so moved that he handed me a large check and asked me to forward it to the child's family. Imagine! What are the chances that these two Jews would have ever met in their lives? They live thou-sands of miles away from each other in two different worlds. Yet be-cause of my concert they were connected, and one was able to sincerely and genuinely help the other. Whether they live across the street or across the world. Jews will always care for each other. That's what Jewish unity is all about."
Moments like these are what make Shloime's work most gratifying and rewarding. Consider the story of young Steven in Elizabeth, New Jersey, who attends public school and was treated to his first Jewish music concert at NCSY. During the show. Shloime called upon a handicapped child to join him on stage. Steven was truly impressed and very touched by this genuine gesture. He later approached his NCSY counselor and said, "In honor of Shloime Dachs, I will continue to listen to Jewish music, and I will start wearing tzitzis every day." According to Chaim, an NCSY Shabbaton coordinator, Steven is faithfully keeping that promise to this very day.

All of this has motivated Shloime to initiate a special offer to all Jewish public school students across the country. "I will send a free tape to any kid who sincerely says that he's willing to listen to Jewish music," says Shloime, who also encourages these youngsters to communicate to him via e-mail. The special offer is available through the NCSY Web site. The e-mails are already pouring in. Matt, who lives in Portland, Oregon, writes: "Your music has reached a lot of people, both inside and outside NCSY. Yasher Koach for doing all that you do." Emily lives in Massachusetts and writes, "My mom bought me your tape, and I hope to go to a Jewish day school one day." And Rachel from Allentown, Pennsylvania, writes that she especially loves the song "Welcome Home" because "it's so much like my own story, only it's expressed much better than I ever could."

The ripple effects of Shloime's music are reaching out far and wide to Jews all across the spectrum. Which is fine by him, because it serves to illustrate the very theme of his new album, "K'ish Echod." "I'm grateful to be blessed with the opportunity to bring Klal Yisroel closer together through my music," he says, "and I hope to be able to continue to reach out to others in this way. After all, how many people are lucky enough to be given such a gift from Hashem that they can enjoy using their talents to benefit and ring joy to others?" As his career continues to blossom and his performances continue to inspire others, there's little doubt that he will continue to do so for a long time to come.