The Klezmatics normally play klezmer, a type of Jewish dance/folk music that merged with early jazz forms. The group became famous for not only playing it well, but for updating it.

Now, after several albums and many years of playing together, it was logical to branch out a bit: working on some Passover material and the idea of freedom from bondage led to thoughts of the African-American experience in this country for the last one hundred years.

Many Jews had worked for the cause of racial integration in the U.S., especially in the music industry. While working on this project, band members viewed a film profiling an extraordinary black Jewish gospel singer named Joshua Nelson: what could be more perfect?

Joshua Nelson is unusual if not unique, in several ways; he's African-American and Jewish, and a man who's number one singing influence is the great female gospel singer Mahalia Jackson.

Sometimes when he's singing (or 'belting it out'), he sounds so much like Mahalia, it's uncanny; at other times he sounds like some male gospel singers I've heard.

He has a deep, resonant voice with lots of power behind it.

To give the band some extra power when backing up such a strong voice, another remarkable performer was brought in for this live performance and recording (the band's first live recording).

Kathryn Farmer is a singer, pianist and organist whose work on the Hammond B-3 organ gives the band a funky punch not usually heard from the Klezmatics.

Her background vocals really help out and her one lead vocal on 'Go Down Moses' is sure to impress. She sings gospel with a jazz  quality which contrasts nicely with Joshua Nelson's more straight-ahead power delivery.

My favorite cut is 'Oh Mary Don't You Weep', with lead vocals passed around from one signer to another.

The selection and tunes throughout BROTHER MOSES SMOTE THE WATER change from traditional Jewish to African-American back and forth: you can't get bored with things changing so much, yet there's a uniting theme throughout.

Overall a great, successful effort!