GOOD NEWS LETTER #11 NEW ALBUM RELEASE!!!!

GOOD NEWS LETTER #11 

GIVE A LITTLE

New Album Out Now!

SPOTIFY

APPLE MUSIC

YOUTUBE

AMAZON

Yes! My new album Give a Little is out and available on all streaming platforms for your listening pleasure. This latest offering is years in the making. These songs have taken root along the many roads I have traversed: from London to Miami; Jamaica to California; with the final production, mixing and mastering all happening at my Home Bass Studio here in Los Angeles. Along the way I have been honored to work with some of the best musicians around, including legendary Jamaican riddim section masters Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare. More than amazing musicians, we have become friends and family.

It has been a long journey and now I can exhale and release this music for your listening pleasure. I cannot say it has been easy! I do not think any artistic endeavor ever is. At the creation stage there is joy, excitement and ecstasy. In the middle phase there is editing and refinement; constructive analysis of what can improve on in the work that has begun. As we all know with any project - the finishing is the hardest part. 

All of these songs were self produced, with a notable exception. I have performed most of these songs over the last decade and a half with various band members across the globe. All of you beautiful musicians and friends of mine are forever in my heart and soul. I am forever grateful for these memories and sounds we have shared together. These songs were brought to life live on stage before they were crystallized as final recordings and all of you are intertwined in the vibrations contained within the music. 

To you the listener, I pray this music gives you a little something. In return, I humbly ask you to pass it around.

ALBUM CREDITS:

1.Give A Little 

Gidon Shikler: vocals / guitars / bass / saxophones / percussion / Fender Rhodes / 

DJ Johnson: drums

Ayo Awosika: backing vocals

2. Sweeter Groove (produced by Gidon Shikler / co-produced by Maestro and Duvid Swirsky)

Recorded at Anchor Studios - Kingston, Jamaica and Home Bass Studio - Culver City, CA Gidon Shikler: vocals / guitars / percussion

Robbie Shakespeare: bass

Sly Dunbar: drums

Robbie Lyn: keys

Duvid Swirsky: backing vocals / guitars

Jason Gamer: trumpets / backing vocals

Zack Lodmer: clarinet / backing vocals

3. Dixie Highway

Gidon Shikler: vocals / guitar / saxophones / percussion / Fender Rhodes

DJ Johnson: drums

Hugo Vera Solari: bass

Cuni Besic: electric guitar / horn arrangements

Ayo Awosika: backing vocals

4. Sink or Swim

Gidon Shikler: vocals / guitar / drums / percussion / melodica / Fender Rhodes

Hugo Vera Solari: bass

5. In These Times

Gidon Shikler: vocals / drums / bass / guitars / keys / percussion 

6. The River

Gidon Shikler: vocals / guitars / drums / percussion / keys / saxophones / melodica

Hugo Vera Solari: bass

7. Soon Come

Gidon Shikler: vocals / drums / guitars / saxophones / percussion / Fender Rhodes

Hugo Vera Solari: bass

Cuni Besic: lead electric guitar

8. Giving You the Boot

Gidon Shikler: vocals / guitar / percussion / melodica / Fender Rhodes / drum programming

DJ Johnson: drums

Hugo Vera Solari: bass

Cuni Besic: lead guitar

Good News Letter #10

First, a big thank you! To the spirited souls who made it out to TR!P in Santa Monica last Thursday Feb 29th (Leap Day!), as we launched The 300. The show was incredible and the vibes from the audience were beyond our wildest expectations for our first show. It was exactly what my brother from another, super talented musician and partner Duvid Swirsky and I imagined it could be. We started brainstorming recently about how to put on the most joyous show that we would love to play, combining Reggae, Grateful Dead jams, Middle Eastern grooves and our own original songs, into seamless medley sets of music. With an amazing ensemble of friends and musicians that we have been blessed to play with over the years, we lifted off and brought our fun loving communities together for a joyous night of music. Needless to say it was a success and there is more to come! I will keep you in the light about the next event.

I want to share with you a recent experience I was fortunate to be a part of a few weeks ago, that was immensely profound and impactful in my life. I was honored to have been asked by my close friend and musical brother Nachum Peterseil, to be a part of the Orot Healing Retreat in Ojai for over 120 survivors from the Nova Music Festival in Israel. The Nova psy-trance festival and community was at the epicenter of the brutal attacks by Hamas on October 7th. Being a proud Israeli citizen and Jew,  the last few months have been extremely difficult to bear witness  to and live through. My family, friends, and community in Israel, as well as all of us Jews abroad have been affected in the most profound and personal of ways. The grief and pain has been overwhelming at times to say the least. So when I was asked to be a part of a healing retreat in Ojai to play music for my brothers and sisters from the Nova festival, I sensed this was going to be a healing process not only for myself; it would also finally provide me and other volunteers here after months of feeling helplessness from afar, an opportunity to assist our tribe in a tangible and meaningful way through music, presence, light and love was a gift from above.

The week we spent at Camp Ramah in Ojai has left an indelible spark in my soul. It is hard to put into words the feelings of our experience. A few words come to mind that can come close: Gratitude; Expansion; Empathy; Connection; Presence; Love.

My intention going in was to be a vessel for love; be present and listen (and give lots of hugs). Our musical team led improv jam sessions everyday sandwiched around group therapy sessions for the unimaginable trauma and violence the Nova community experienced on October 7th. Specialized trauma therapists from Israel and Southern California led these sessions, as one of the main goals of the retreat was to help our brothers and sisters process what they have been through in a safe, loving and supportive environment. Some of my personal highlights: The Open Mic jam we led as a backing band, supporting an array of beautiful souls and voices shining their creative light; the Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat jam and prayers are still vibrating in my soul and atoms; hangin' out in the sun on Shabbat in the lush meadow and hiking barefoot in the surrounding hills with a few new friends; the panels of graffiti artwork led by the group Artists 4 Israel and Nova painters; dancing together with the legendary trance music duo Infected Mushroom as they performed a private event for us. All of this was mind blowing to say the least - as was the heart bursting show of solidarity for our family.

I am so grateful to have met such incredible people who organized and brought me to this retreat. I am also thankful and humbled to have met the beautiful Nova community brothers and sisters from Israel, some of whom are now friends and family for life. I feel truly blessed to have entered into that weeklong bubble of love and community, and to have exited out with a new appreciation for life and service. The hope of a world led by Love still exists....it's in our hearts and hands to lead the way.

In other good news I am finally ready to release some new music! I am putting out an album with a slew of singles ready to release every few weeks starting in April with “Give a Little” -  one of my most popular songs that I have been performing for a while now. Some of these songs started out as demos from my time spent in Jamaica, tracking the foundations of the songs with the legendary  Sly and Robbie along with Robbie Lynn on keys. Much to look forward to and I can’t wait to share this music with you.

Heart Of Love!

Rainbow over Camp Ramah on first day of the Orot retreat - Feb 6th 2024

Artwork from collaboration between Artists 4 Israel and the Nova community.

Infected Mushroom Private dance party

Friends and Family

Good News Letter #7

Greetings and Love everyone!

I come to you with some extra special good news this month...

Live music is back! Yes!!! We are very excited to share with you a couple of live shows happening very soon here in Los Angeles. First up is a Friday night dinner set at The Mint on Pico Blvd., starting at 8pm June 18th. Live band inside the venue. Imagine that? What a blessing to play inside one of our favorite venues again for you. Come grab a table and order some good food and drink and kick back for a reggae-fied electric soul groove set with the band setting the mood.

After this entry into the indoor space jam continuum we will be heading towards the Art Bar LA on Sunday, July 4th. This will be a special occasion as we will be playing a couple sets of our favorite music for the first time inside this special local art venue. Located on Venice Blvd. and Inglewood Blvd. in Mar Vista it is right around the corner from the Mar Vista farmers market. I will send more info in the next letter about this show as it draws closer.

In other good news I have been posting a live song a day session on Instagram Live. You can tune in live as it happens or wait until the time is right to kick back and listen to some of my songs of the day. Sometimes it's a loop extravaganza and sometimes it's an acoustic vibe. It's always from the heart and soul. Come check some past renditions out on my YouTube page as well as my official music videos.

Don't forget you can listen to all my music on Spotify and Apple Music! Check my other social links as well below.

For now, I leave you with good vibes and blessings for health and strength! Keep smiling in this world and spread love.

Heart of Love

Gidon

June 8th, 2021

Good News Letter #4

Greetings Friends and Family!

I am happy to report that my new single "El Na" is now officially released on all digital platforms! You can find the links below as I will list a few of them as well as the official music video.

El Na on Spotify - click here

EL Na on Apple Music - click here

El Na Official Music Video - click here

It has been a very tough year. We have been dealt heavy blows: the COVID epidemic; political unrest; continual social injustices; economic troubles; many music artists especially in the reggae world we love and hold dear have passed on to the next world. Why do I bring this up in a "Good News Letter"? Because it is always a good time to heal and be thankful for what we have now. My new song "El Na" which features my good friend Duvid Swirsky and his son Lev, is a joyful groove and prayer reminding us to be thankful and appreciate the "small" things in life. "El Na" is an ancient Hebrew prayer that Moses sang for his sister Miriam when she was dealing with a terrible illness. We have taken that prayer and added it to an upbeat reggae groove inspired by a classic song by The Melodians.

This song comes just in time for the holidays. Spread it around and share it with everyone you know who could use a little gift of joy and healing right now. It is being released at the darkest time of the year, when we celebrate Hanukkah to light up the night with candles and hope for building a better future. May this song bring you healing, light and joy. For it is only through experiencing joy that we can truly heal.

Don't forget you can always head to my website and check out all the latest music, concert info and links to all other sites. If you are feeling generous and in the holiday mood then become a Patron of mine at my Patreon site listed below! Check the hyper links below for more info.
May you all be healthy and strong in spirit,

Happy Holidays,
Gidon December 9th, 2020

RISE EP is officially released!!!

I am very pleased to announce the release of my latest EP - RISE

This album has been in the making for a good while, but good things take time to make. 

The collection of songs were written and recorded during the time I was time living in London. It is released on Slipway Records and was produced, recorded and mixed  by Simone Filiali - who also threw down some heavy dub mixes on this collection. 

If you are like me and love looking at the back of albums to see who played on what track and were it was recorded and what mixing desk was used..... Please visit the EP link on my official website which has all of that juicy info. While you're there follow the yellow brick road - or the digital link to purchase the songs on iTunes. You'll be able to carry these songs wherever you travel and also be able to view that lovely album cover made by Jesse Brossa.

For those of you who would like a CD, that will be ready very shortly for purchase and an announcement will surely be made across the Social Sphere.

We are in the early stages of planning a launch party concert in Israel and London in the middle/end of October - so keep an ear out for that!

Thank you for your support and love,

Blessings

Gidon

New Website, New Home

A new year dons, Winter is in its solstice, and I have migrated with the birds seeking warmer pastures. I find myself in my new home in Venice Beach, CA. I used to live in LA at the turn of the century (didn't know I'd be able to say that!), and i have been on a journey for 8 years since i last lived here. It has taken me back to London; back across the Atlantic to the eastern coast of the United States - in hot, humid, sunny Miami; a skip of the stone across the Caribbean Sea to Jamaica; and back across the mainland US to my childhood home of California. 

For the past year and a half I was based in Oakland, CA - a place i still call home and is close to my heart. I moved there after a few years travelling back and forth between Jamaica, Florida and California. I needed a place to call home for a while and it was a good choice. So many good people up there I feel very fortunate to have met. The Bay Area is a real roots reggae haven and i am now honored to be a part of that musical lineage. I started playing with some crucial roots reggae musicians - The Red Lions - and we have been lighting up the scene in the Bay.

And now I'm back in LA. I will be making the most of my opportunities down here as well as keeping the music alive up North. My goal is to get into some great Music/Reggae Festivals this next Spring/Summer and I look forward to spreading my music and message to those souls I have yet to meet. In the kind time I've taken to redesigning my website as you can see here - no small task - but one that gives me pleasure knowing that what you put in, you get out. I feel blessed to be blazing my own path in this time. The life of an artist is not an easy path, but one that is constantly being challenged by the social constructs that we live in. Where there's a will and sustained effort there is a way,  and might I add -  a passion.

Take a stroll around the site and let me know what you think. It's pretty basic which i like, and you can keep up to date with all my upcoming shows, new videos, photos and blogs and news that you can find right here in this section. Also notice the subtle touch of the social media links at the bottom of each web page to link to all my online media sites.

Happy Holidays everyone. I look forward to keeping in touch and look forward to hearing from you. Many Blessings, Health and Love.

GIDON