Heheheh, I’ll take that as a “Yes, Roman, fill up my mailbox with mp3’s”, shall I?
And as I said in the email, Matisyahu’s albums are dirt-cheap, though *finding* them may be difficult. Amazon is your friend here.
He is phenomonal, I’m looking forward to seeing him sometime when I’m back in the states, until then listening to him on my mp3 player will have to suffice.
Well, I know he visited Israel for a kind of roots trip when he was 16, and that he performed here at some point, but Aliyah? Nope. He lives in the US, man.
Man, to be honest. I think the guy is more of reggae novelty or should I say fad. I do not think he is known or popular just based on artistic talent or any reggae innovation. He is known because he is jewish guy singing in jamaican music style- reggae. In similiar tradition or way, that Elvis Presley got the title of “king” of an art form that created, orginated in the african-american culture.
I am not saying this guy is bad, but saying he is “da shyte” that is bite of an exaggeration? Relative to what artist or band: gregory issacs, dennis brown, etc…
Most style and material is repackaging of bands like steel pulse, israel vibrations…
Jonah, I don’t know who the guys you metioned are but for me this music is something totally unique and *new*. That’s why I’m loving it. I always love it when I discover cool music like this that has a “fusion” aspect to it.
Guys, I am not saying the guy is bad or his ethnicity or religion is the only reason he is known.
I grew up listening to reggae music artists like Lucky Dube, Alpha Blondy, and most jamaican artists from roots to dancehall versions..
I am all for fusion and variety. Also, I am not claiming to be an arbiter of good or bad music but I do believe in little perspective.
For example:
If there is a new composer making classical european music and let’s say, that person specialized or had a new album which is mainly sonata, I am sure people would compare him to other greatest artists like beethoven, chopin , etc..
Matisyahu’s style, music, delivery, etc is exactly like some heavy weights of jamaician roots music- the only slight difference is the lyrics. if the guy’ was chinese, russian, etc I would still have the same view.
In terms of most of music been rehashed and there been just a few original ideas- so does mean we should not acknowledge or compare the rehash from original ideas or put them in some perspective?
I am just asking for little perspective as someone who grew up listening and continues to listen to all reggae music.
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Name: Amir Ahmad Nasr (Drima).
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The Bio of Awesomeness: Fundamentalist Muslim, turned hippie Sufi and fan of science. Total blogging junkie since 2006. Social entrepreneur and digital media and marketing consultant. Proud Sudanese and cultural nomad. Author of upcoming book on Islam and new media. Pro-democracy guitar-strumming activist. Loud and drop dead gorgeous. Fan of integral theory and spiral dynamics. Sarcastic Afro-Arab goofy genius. The High Priest of Mischief. Welcome. You've Been Warned! ;)
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Heheheh, I’ll take that as a “Yes, Roman, fill up my mailbox with mp3’s”, shall I?
And as I said in the email, Matisyahu’s albums are dirt-cheap, though *finding* them may be difficult. Amazon is your friend here.
He is phenomonal, I’m looking forward to seeing him sometime when I’m back in the states, until then listening to him on my mp3 player will have to suffice.
Didn’t he make Aliyah?
Well, I know he visited Israel for a kind of roots trip when he was 16, and that he performed here at some point, but Aliyah? Nope. He lives in the US, man.
Great! Linton Kwesi Johnson goes jihad, or something.
But can he do Sinatra?
Man, to be honest. I think the guy is more of reggae novelty or should I say fad. I do not think he is known or popular just based on artistic talent or any reggae innovation. He is known because he is jewish guy singing in jamaican music style- reggae. In similiar tradition or way, that Elvis Presley got the title of “king” of an art form that created, orginated in the african-american culture.
I am not saying this guy is bad, but saying he is “da shyte” that is bite of an exaggeration? Relative to what artist or band: gregory issacs, dennis brown, etc…
Most style and material is repackaging of bands like steel pulse, israel vibrations…
Jonah, I don’t know who the guys you metioned are but for me this music is something totally unique and *new*. That’s why I’m loving it. I always love it when I discover cool music like this that has a “fusion” aspect to it.
Jonah, there are few if any original ideas in the world. Music is no different. *everything* can be considered as little more than a rehash. So what?
And most of the people I know who like Matisyahu only found out he was an Orthodox Jew *after* taking a fancy to his songs, and not before.
Guys, I am not saying the guy is bad or his ethnicity or religion is the only reason he is known.
I grew up listening to reggae music artists like Lucky Dube, Alpha Blondy, and most jamaican artists from roots to dancehall versions..
I am all for fusion and variety. Also, I am not claiming to be an arbiter of good or bad music but I do believe in little perspective.
For example:
If there is a new composer making classical european music and let’s say, that person specialized or had a new album which is mainly sonata, I am sure people would compare him to other greatest artists like beethoven, chopin , etc..
Matisyahu’s style, music, delivery, etc is exactly like some heavy weights of jamaician roots music- the only slight difference is the lyrics. if the guy’ was chinese, russian, etc I would still have the same view.
In terms of most of music been rehashed and there been just a few original ideas- so does mean we should not acknowledge or compare the rehash from original ideas or put them in some perspective?
I am just asking for little perspective as someone who grew up listening and continues to listen to all reggae music.
Leave a Comment