Matisyahu might have the market cornered on his particular niche of expression, that of reggae-tinged high-polish hip-hop beats with lyrical inspiration stemming from his roots in Hasidic Judaism and its traditions. While themes of belief, retribution, and religious tropes come through from time to time on fifth album Akeda, spirituality takes somewhat of a back seat to Matisyahu's huge beats and reggae-pop basslines, though each song comes across in a wash of positive sentiments and philosophical musing. The album runs back and forth between tunes steeped in traditional reggae influence such as "Black Heart" and the Collie Buddz guest-spotted "Confidence" and more pop-minded tunes like the brilliant horns of "Watch the Walls Melt Down" and the Coldplay-meets-Bruno Mars croon of "Ayeka (Teach Me to Love)." Matisyahu may be the only "Hasidic reggae superstar" (a distinction he makes in reference to himself on more than one of Akeda's tunes), but over the album's hour-plus running time he delivers such solidly catchy and meticulously produced pop music that much of its lyrical content and any deeper message get lost in the head-bobbing beats and pleasantly dubby basslines. ~ Fred Thomas Recording information: 40 Hurtz Studios, Brooklyn, NY; June Street Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Studio G, Brooklyn, NY. Personnel: Francisco Botero (10-string bass). Audio Mixer: Joel Hamilton. ~ CD Universe
KALBATA & MIXMONSTER - CONGO BEAT THE DRUM
The world of roots reggae & dancehall has been fully awoken to the fantastic analogue sounds of Kalbata & Mixmonsters' music - and even Rob Da Bank, Robert Elms, & Toddla T and The Wire magazine have supported and enthusiastically raved about their brand new yet wonderfully old school music.And now - in time for summer festivals and carnivals, the floor shaking, speaker rattling track Congo Beat The Drum featuring Major Mackerel gets the 12 inch single treatment. The pounding drums and the larynx busting vocal performance from the Jamaican veteran is an unstoppable, unforgettable and frankly mesmerising experience! Released alongside the original (and an instrumental version of stand out album track Out Of Road) is an amazing remix by Kahn - the Bristol based producer, renowned dubstepper, remixer, member of the Sureskank Collective - who with this remix displays his mastery of blending all kinds of styles, and injects his remix with some of his favourite influences - including Middle Eastern music scales - which ensures his reworking of Congo Beat The Drum is fresh, original and inspiring.
French electronic duo Deep Forest have built their style through incorporating internationally sourced sound rituals, songs, and other sonic elements into their more modernized European electronica. Appearing first in the mid-'90s, Deep Forest rose to huge success and kept the same basic outline for most of their albums. Deep Africa follows Deep India and Deep Brasil in a series of albums where the band focuses on a particular region with their brand of sonic appropriation, blending native sounds with chilled-out beats. ~ Fred Thomas
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