Endnote: Issue 1030    

Out of Range

There is something unique about GERSHI URI’s voice, a certain magnetic timbre and intensity. Producer Naftali Schnitzler, one of the best ears in today’s Jewish music industry, picked out the London-based chassidish singer’s talent a few years ago, long before Uri’s debut album, ZMAN, hit the stands last month. “Gershi is blessed with such an amazing range and talent that he can do almost anything with his voice. While there are others who also have flexibility, their voices are often thin, but Gershi has a voice that is not only flexible, but full as well,” says Schnitlzer.

Uri had sung on several recent singles, including “Hoidee Lashem,” where he joined Shea Berko for a lively duet. But releasing a full album is a whole different level. In addition to requiring a lot of travel for both Gershy and Naftali, it also meant searching for material that would be both appropriate for a chassidish music album and a perfect fit for Uri’s voice and vocal range.

In the end, when Schnitzler couldn’t find those perfect songs from other composers, he used some of his very own compositions. Avrumi Lunger, who worked on the perfect execution of Naftali’s creative vision, is also responsible for some of the arrangements and the album’s mix. One lively track, “Loi Loi,” grabs the listener’s attention with its pulsating electronic music and Uri’s vocals almost entirely in falsetto. Not every track is so sharply up to date, though. Gershi Uri says his personal favorite is “U’vetach,” a slow, reflective yet powerful track.

One thing the pair wanted was a fast-paced wedding dance song in an authentic chassidish style. They approached Meshulem Greenberger, composer of the Yingerlich hit song “Meloich” — which Schnitzler produced — and loved Greenberger’s response: an energetic “Zoch shochein me’onah… leshanah habah b”Yerushalayim.” The song is already playing at chasunahs — and with Gershi himself singing at weddings night after night, it’s sure to spread fast.