Shimshai: PRESS

GODSONGS
By Erik Davis

“Music is more than entertainment,” says Shimshai, one of the most notable bards to emerge from the West Coast’s neohippie scene. “Every note has to be delivered with some intention.” Shimshai was born into the Love Israel Family, a psychedelic Judeo-Christian sect in Washington State, and he still radiates a vibration of pure desert prayer. While his songs rarely get more specific than a few mentions of “Jah,” they are animated by a religious conviction far deeper than the groovy tantric mush that often passes for sacred music among the dreadies. He also sings like a dream.

The twenty five year old Shimshai cut his teeth on reggae, and still hits the summer festival circuit with the Natural MystiquEnsemble, a poppy worldbeat band. But the deeper stuff lies in his solo performances and small acoustic ensembles. In these settings, his tunes sound like Sufi campfire songs at a Rasta gathering hosted by Stevie Wonder. Live on Maui, a strong 2003 recording once passed around by fans on CD-R, is now set for official release. His forthcoming CD is Deliverance, an intimate solo record of earthy godsongs dusted with Peruvian folkloric sounds and sung in Hebrew, Hawaiian, Spanish, and English. While sometimes sentimental, the simple beauty of his material can open up the heavens.

Though Shimshai has recorded a gorgeous album of Hindu neo-kirtans with Tina Malia, he is not as drawn to the East as many of his Rainblw kin. “For me It’s always been a fascination with Central and South America,” he says. “I still remember when I first saw pictures of Mayan and Incan ruins. The place is so alive to me, so vivid and colorful.” While traveling in Peru and Ecuador, he hooked up with traditional healers who placed music at the center of their work with plant medicines. “A lot of traditions use music as the key to open doors and release things. It’s almost a methodical approach, utilizing music for direct results.” Shimshai is inspired by this sacred technology, but for his part sticks to a more informal approach. “I’m just doing my best to transmit simple essence in sound vibration.”

"An enchanted mixture of spirit and soul, danceable and tranceable."

-Lieb Ostrow
founder and CEO
Earthbeat Records


"Shimshai's music emanates a divine presence and a quality of peace, a truly 'natural mystic' energy that flows into the hearts of his listeners. His musicality is superb, as is that of his bandmates, and his singing is sublime and transcendent."

-Jai Uttal


"Toward The One is a stellar release from a bright talent, a world-beat pioneer."

-KUDOS
Sedona's Arts and
Entertainment Weekly


"When I hear this music I feel my soul rise up and start dancing".

-Sunshine Pressider
KMUD
Humboldt County CA


"Their voices blended beautifully, with a deep tone of compassion"

-Tim Damon
Good Times, Santa Cruz
News & Entertainment Weekly


"To experience the music of Shimshai is to be taken on a musical journey that celebrates the purest light of universal love. His beautiful voice and exquisite guitar playing evokes the spirit of Bob Marley, the subtlety of Jerry Garcia and a powerful musical prayer to unite all humanity and spark the fire of change. It is a
gift to the world and a blessing for us all."

-Robyn Shanti
Dharma Wheel
KBOO Portland

SHIMSHAI
I Sense Your Presence (Natural Mystic)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner


It's not often my 19-year old's musical tastes intersect with mine, but we definitely agree on at least one CD so far this year: Shimshai's I Sense Your Presence. Shimshai and the Natural Mystic Ensemble rock steady through seven long jams that rely not only on the traditional themes of honoring Jah and spirituality, but also look forward to a brighter tomorrow. I first heard I Sense Your Presence before 9/11, and Shimshai's brand of life-affirming music surely shows us in "Better Way" that there's got to be a better way. What separates this disc from other Rasta releases, though, is Shimshai's talent. In addition to composing and singing each song, he plays flute, clarinet, classical and electric guitar, alto sax and melodica, a unique wind-blown piano. Mix those ingredients up, along with the Natural Mystic Ensemble, and you've got the debut release from a bright talent. Shimshai was the driving force behind Spirit Earth, a regional reggae sensation in the Pacific Northwest, and I'm glad he's branched out with his own CD. Don't take my word for it, though: sample some of Shimshai's uplifting and inspiring music at his website, www.shimshai.com.