Column: The Best You’ve Never Heard; Hasidic singer gives listeners a sharp taste of reggae
This week’s column is a bit of a departure from our usual routine. While I usually highlight an album or artist that you’ve never heard, I’m hoping that most of you have heard of this week’s selection. But I think that it’s so exceptional that I’m writing for the few of you who may still be in the dark.
If you’ve heard anything about Matisyahu, it probably had to do with his being a Hasidic Jew. It’s true that he’s a practicing Hasidic Jew, from the beard to the suit to the strict code of conduct. But that doesn’t make him worth listening to. Matisyahu is important because he’s one of the best, most accessible reggae artists in recent memory.
I’m not a reggae fan. Sure I, like the rest of you, owned the Bob Marley compilation “Legend” in high school, but it was a matter motivated more by peer pressure than sincere musical appreciation. That said, Matisyahu rocks (or is it “reggaes?”) my world. His distinctive voice, sharp arrangements, and impeccable rapid-fire delivery alone are worth listening to, but he also has the sense to tie these hallmarks of reggae to a production that abandons the more insular sounds of the genre, opening up his albums to a new audience.
Matisyahu’s brand new release, “Youth,” is the third in his catalog, and follows last year’s breakthrough album, “Live at Stubbs.” Both are excellent starting places for discovering this engaging, easy brand of reggae. His first album, “Shake off the Dust … Arise” is also an excellent starting place, but has become difficult to find. So don’t let the thought of Hasidic reggae scare you away. If anything, Matisyahu’s music is, despite his unique persona, less esoteric than other reggae artists and definitely worth a listen. Or two. Or three.
Zach Pendleton’s column The Best You’ve Never Heard runs each week in Diversions. Comments can be sent to him at zachp@cc.usu.edu.