In preparation for their forthcoming album due out in Spring 2009, Oi Va Voi, the Jewish answer to Banghra bands, decided to do a concert in West London Synagogue's gorgeous Sanctuary. To the surprise of the eager Oi-Va-Voi-starved audience, they announced that this was their first performance in a Synagogue, which seems somewhat surprising for a band whose hit track Another Refugee has a purely Cantorial vocal line.

The concert heralded their return to their Jewish roots after their last Balkan/Rock flavoured album "Oi Va Voi" lost the momentum built up by the success of their first album, Laughter Through Tears which featured the then unknown singer, KT Tunstall. No longer concerned about not being taken seriously by the mainstream music business or being pigeonholed as "the Jewish band", they have decided to embrace their Jewish roots and to endear themselves to the Jewish Community which they see as their natural fan base. Their confidence is not surprising, given that the big crowd pleasers at all their gigs are the more "Jewish" numbers like Another Refugee regardless of how many Jewish people are in the audience.

Their new material, showcased in the Synagogue gig, certainly returns to the Jewish roots of early Oi Va Voi, but has a new fresh energy. This may partly be due to an unusual new lineup following the departure of several members of the original band. New members include stunningly beautiful African singer Bridgette Amofah and the fiddle gymnast Anna Phoebe. Original members include Nik Amar on electric and acoustic guitar, Steve Levy on Clarinet and Cantorial vocals, and Josh Breslau on drums.

Guitarist Amar felt that the evening was a great success: "It felt a bit like MTV unplugged concerts - we usually play with a much more electrified sound - my guitar is usually much more acoustic for example, and we brought in a cello to add to that effect. The concert had a controlled energy, not as frantic as our more electric gigs but I think that the atmosphere was wonderful - people were really listening, especially to our new tracks."

Oi Va Voi's new CD, which is in the finishing stages of production, will be released in the new year and will feature lots of their new tunes. Eager fans can get hold of two tracks from the new album if they pre-order a copy of the new CD now. In the meantime it is hoped that Oi Va Voi will have other opportunities to perform in London and the UK, although playing in another Synagogue might not be on the cards. "We loved playing in the stunning West London Synagogue - it felt really spiritual, but it was like putting on a wedding - we had to bring everything there including the stage and the lights" admits Amar. "But we do want to do some more intimate gigs". So keep a look out for another Oi Va Voi unplugged soon.