Israeli Reggae singer releases new CD
Raz Bin Sam will release a new reggae CD on May-11.
Raz in Israel
Born in Jerusalem, Raz Harel [the singer/musician’s real name] left his Ramat Hasharon home in 2000 to settle in the NSW coastal town Byron Bay. His music features regularly on the ABC Triple J and Nova networks.
Produced by the authentic Jamaican reggae label ‘Das Vibes’, Raz Bin Sam enjoyed a four week stint at number 1 in the US independent reggae charts. The label has also released the artist’s 1999 album ‘Kivsayat’, recorded in Hebrew.
His new album “Own This Life”, was recorded in Australia, England and Israel with the main song calling for people to remain strong and outlining the daily Jewish rituals the artist performs. Raz plays most of the instruments himself, featuring on drums, bass and guitar.
The surfing-loving Israeli is planning a July CD launch in conjunction with Chabad in Melbourne.
Raz told J-Wire that he has been writing songs for as long as he can remember and learned to play guitar while he was studying visual arts at university in Israel.
There is a thriving Jewish community in Byron Bay and Raz is deeply involved. He said: “Our community is 800-strong and we have a Chabad House run by Rabbi Serebryansky where we have a minyan and Torah lessons every Thursday.
His ambitions? Raz wants to become a better man, friend, partner, friend and to give the Jewish people and Israel a better relationship with the community at large through music.”
