Now playing on XM Satellite Radio and available at iTunes

ABOUT THE ALBUM

"I've got such a deep love for Jewish music," says 26-year-old Mike Boxer, "and it's always growing. There are few things that resonate with the soul the way that music does; but then when you add that spiritual connection, the sense of neshama, it takes on this completely new dimension, and becomes something entirely new and uplifting. It's unlike anything.

"And that's the main thing I wanted to accomplish with this album," he continues. "I wanted to be able to share that with others who might not have been able to get into Jewish music just yet. That's why a lot of what you may hear on the album is a blend of the traditional, heimish textures that Jewish music enthusiasts have become more than used to as well as styles and tactics that are a bit more mainstream in nature. I'm hoping for an appeal that reaches new people. At the same time, I wanted to provide a fresh yet familiar new vibe that the most staunch of Jewish music aficionados could sink their teeth into."

"That aside, I wanted to really make sure that that old cliche was fulfilled -- you know, that there was a 'little something for everybody'. The end result is, it's uncommonly eclectic. A lot of people may even listen to this and think, 'who exactly is this guy trying to be?' If that happens, then I've succeeded."

All in all, Mike Boxer spent about 19 months in a labor of love to make Erev Chaim. He's hoping it's another step toward living a dream -- making a career out of making Jewish music.

Recorded, edited and mixed at Open Studios, Vestal, NY and Riverside Studios, New York, NY
Album replication by Discmakers, Pennsauken, NJ