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Assaf Avidan performing in Jerusalem last year.
 Tess Scheflan
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Last update - 23:08 12/08/2009
Israeli rocker Asaf Avidan signs on with Sony Columbia records
By Guy Hajaj, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Asaf Avidan and The Mojos 

Top-selling Israeli rock group Asaf Avidan and The Mojos has signed a four-album record contract with the international record company Sony Columbia, one of the four largest record companies in the world.

According to the newly signed deal, Sony Columbia will distribute and promote the band's records, including its second release, "The Reckoning," which came out in Israel in April 2008 to rave reviews.





The band was thrilled over the signing. "Columbia's historic logo, which we have seen on albums by such legends as like Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen will now adorn our albums as well," the band said.


However, the band added that while the signing marked a significant achievement, "it is also important to note that this is just another stepping stone for this growing band. We have a long way to go."

Willy Lehman, Columbia's CEO in Germany, said that he was "overjoyed that Asaf Avidan and The Mojos chose Sony Columbia as their home."

"You don't know what to expect when you first listen to Asaf Avidan and The Mojos for the first time, but you soon learn to expect the unexpectable," Lehaman said, adding that he felt that "if Jeff Buckley was still alive he surely would have joined them on state."

Asaf Avidan began his musical career as an independent artist, performing in smaller venues all over Israel in recent years with his group, The Mojos, attracting a loyal fan base along the way.

Avidan's distinct high-pitched and raspy singing voice - likened to a male Janis Joplin - has garnered much attention, receiving praise in publications such as Rolling Stone magazine.

Avidan's second album, "The Reckoning," shook the local music scene, reaching gold record status, and going on to sell thousands of copies, while hardly enjoying the benefit of radio airplay.

Avidan had already managed to fill Tel Aviv's Barby music club with his monthly shows. By the time Army's Radio's 'Galgalatz' - Israel's leading music-based radio station - picked up on his music.

The band's third studio album is due to come out this coming September.

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