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Cedar & Soil is a collective music project that began to sprout in Al-Koura, Lebanon during 2005, when principal member Dirji (a.k.a. Cedar), a NY based producer and song writer, decided to collaborate with a group of talented and like minded musicians he had had one too many memorable jam sessions with. The interaction between the two helped nourish his sound like Soil to a Cedar tree, thus the origin of the name Cedar & Soil.
This venture bloomed into fruition in New York City during May of 2006 when Dirji began recording some demos in preparation for recording sessions in Lebanon. And though the band was intended to be a collaborative effort, it took an unexpected turn with the 2006 Israeli air-raids on Lebanon. With the indefinite suspension of travel in and out of Beirut, Cedar’s travel plans were canceled, which led to him assuming the role of sole band member. With this new line-up, Cedar & Soil set out to transform these demos into a full length LP over the course of the next 2 months. The product of that arduous labor of love was “Radio Beast”, a hand made LP drenched with overlapping melodies and melancholic crooning that hypnotize your ears in ways only a silent winter night could. Some of the themes that tread the content of this record are childhood nostalgia, war, peace, love and friendship. According to Cedar & Soil; listening to “Radio Beast” is like experiencing that first glass of grandfather’s home made Arak. You approach with little hesitation and savor it slowly not to disturb the delicate textures … and by the time you’re halfway through and moving in ways you never knew you could … you’re most definitely ready for round two.
So kick back with a frosty glass of Arak and enjoy this product of love as Cedar & Soil gears up for the launch of its follow-up LP – “Vodou Dabke’”, which features many of the musicians that could not make it on the first release.