MC and lyricist Tomer Yosef has been picked up by JDub Records to be the first in a series of releases by Balkan Beat Box members expected over the course of the next 12 months. Dubbed (no pun intended) the next wave in Mediterranean Dancehall, Yosef will release his solo debut Laughing Underground on August 26th.
JDub Records (Matisyahu, Michael Showalter) is a “non-profit record and event production company that strives to build community through new and innovative Jewish music that encourages cross-cultural dialogue about the arts.” And while common sense would suggest they should consider signing a Palestinian or Arab musician to help support that cross-cultural dialogue, true to their mission statement, Tomer hails from Kfar Saba, a small Israeli town east of Tel Aviv. He first came to prominence in Israel as a comedian and actor before moving to New York in 1998 and beginning a career as a musician, songwriter, and producer, before joining Balkan Beat Box shortly after their debut release in 2005.
Laughing Underground, was produced by Tomer and BBB producer and co-founder Tamir Muskat and touches on many topics, but sticks mostly to “Tomer’s 2 favorite themes: the pains and strains of love and politics.”
MP3 Download – “Underground”
Tomer Yousef Tourdates
09.09.08 – Los Angeles, CA (The El Rey)*
09.10.08 – San Francisco, CA (The Fillmore)*
09.11.08 – Portland, OR (TBA)*
09.13.08 – Seattle, WA (Neumo’s)*
09.14.08 – Minneapolis, MN (Cedar Cultural Centers)
09.15.08 – Chicago, IL (The Empty Bottle)
09.17.08 – Washington, DC (TBA)
09.18.08 – New York, NY (Highline Ballroom)^
* w/ DeLeon supporting
^ New Israel Fund’s New Generations Benefit
