RebbeSoul performs melodies from throughout the Jewish world, from Sephardic romanceros in Ladino to Lubavitch niggunim to tunes from Ashkenazi nusach. Carlebach melodies and Mizrahi piyyutim collide with a World beat rhythms- its the sound of the Jewish Diaspora coming home. And in after a Rebbesoul show, everyone will go home humming something new!
A rock guitarist and studio session musician, Bruce Burger (RebbeSoul) was inspired by the haunting beauty of a prayer heed heard one night in synagogue. From memory, he reconstructed the melody and lyrics, and so began a spiritual and musical journey that brought him back to his Jewish heritage. That song tapped something inside Burger, who recorded the song and submitted it to local radio stations.
Months later his acoustic rendition of Avinu Malkenu garnered record high listener call-ins when maverick San Francisco station aired it. Now, Burger leads his percussion trio, bringing a new voice to the sometimes-stagnant realm of Jewish music, blending rock sensibilities, world fusion stylings and traditional Hebrew melodies for an ageless yet progressive sound. RebbeSoul mixes Mizrahi chant and electronic beats with the funk/ethnic rock style, layerng balalaika, guitar and mandolin over of a percussion trio using darbouka, djembes, riq and cajon. Having toured Israel repeatedly, he made Aliyah in 2006.
He returns to the US for periodic tours to teaching about Israel and the Jewish people through music that reflects its melodies and those of Jewish Diaspora communities. A Rebbesoul performance is a musical ingathering, mirroring the diverse Israeli society. The sound of the Jewish journey home is at the heart of a RebbeSoul performance.
Kol Dodi
Esa Enai
Shmelke’s Nign
Maoz Tzur
“This is about us, as in the big ‘us,’ not about individuals, biases, cultural clashes or any of that other clutter that junks up our daily lives. This album is about how we are more alike than different.” – Cat Delaney, Lucid Forge “RebbeSoul crafts an energetic sound… packs an eclectic armament… for Jewish and Arabic music… RebbeSoul forges a danceable fusion.” – Popmatters
“Soulful mission: RebbeSoul dedicates his long-awaited CD, Change the World With a Sound, to peace in the Middle East and throughout the world.”- Halifax Herald
“From the dub feel of “Kaddish” to the folk-rocky “Shalom” and “Rock of Ages,” perhaps my favorite is “Eliyahu,” with a stripped-down funk groove, soulful Hebrew vocals by Lynn Rose, and some tasty hand drumming.” KAOS/Spin The Globe
“A thick and soupy blend of Middle-Eastern percussion, growling rock guitar, plucked balalaika and funk bass that builds to a perfect simmer.” – Splendid“[RebbeSoul] blends melody and electricity… there’s a depth of soul that sucks you in.” – Kent Zimmerman, Gavin Report
“His compositions take acoustic rock into a mystical realm” – Charles M. Young, Playboy
“Multi-talented RebbeSoul seamlessly mixes international musical influences into his own unique sound. Rhythms from Eastern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East are evident as they weave and wind through rock, pop, and jazz tones.” – Joey Alkes, Music Biz Magazine face
