“Live at Stubb’s” Matisyahu (JDub Records/Or Music)
Born Mathew Miller and raised in White Plains, New York, Matisyahu wasn’t the first kid to grow dreadlocks and drop out of high school to follow Phish. His winding spiritual journey took him from Oregon to Israel before he returned to New York to embrace Lubavitch Hasidism. Now, rather than shunning the reggae he loved as a bohemian, the convert channels his devotion for Judaism into exuberant music — and he’s opening shows for Trey Anastasio. In a strange way, it fits: Reggae luminaries have long espoused Rastafarianism using biblical language, and in that tradition, Matisyahu sounds uplifting but not preachy. His vocal inflection and the familiar upbeat rhythm guitar are grounded in reggae and dancehall. However, these songs feature outbursts of rap-rock, a few jam-rock guitar solos and a display of beat-boxing. He even briefly lapses into a traditional chant with a slight R&B croon. For the most part it works, owing to Matisyahu’s torrential enthusiasm, which is particularly evident on this live recording. *** — Nathan Lott
No comments:
Post a Comment