Sunday, February 05, 2006

Kosher Rock

I have a new favorite artist... and he's an orthodox Jew. Move over Death Cab and Ben Folds. Make way for Matisyahu (Hebrew for “Matthew”). He’s a twenty-five year old Hasidic Reggae singer and, in the grand tradition of Bob Marley, has put the God back into Reggae (sugared up with a little touch of hip hop).

I first heard of Matisyahu last fall on NPR. I’d meant to look into him at the time, but I got lost in the Fall Interview Program whirlwind. Luckily, I’m friends with BA, who sent me selections from this Pennsylvania native’s Live at Stubbs album long after I’d forgotten all about the NPR segment. He is forgotten no longer though... Toda, Brian, toda.

Matisyahu, with his flat-brimmed hat (ala The Chosen) and that big bushy beard (ala Tevye), has now moved himself into the coveted top spot on my ipod playlist. His peppy reggae raps about HaShem, King David and Joseph of Egypt are exactly what I’d been craving; a little unorthodox "orthodox" for the soul.

8 comments:

woo said...

Ah, the coveted top spot on the ipod playlist... move over toto, g'n'r and peter breinholt.

Marc said...

Pete... consider yourself loved.

Sammy Pow said...

Pete, you voted against my music taste on the poll. That hurt my feelings.

Tara said...

Awesome, I love the curls. I think that definitely adds to the talent. He's got to be much better than a non-curly jew would be.

Sammy Pow said...

you got me. I'll try and upload more sweet tunes as I come across them in the future.

Marc said...

If you like that Tara... I'll have to wrangle up pictures of Woo back when he had earlocks himself. I know you don't really know any of us... but these are pictures anyone could appreciate.

Tara said...

I'd love a look. I do know BA (unfortunately) J/K! Actually I know BA's wife. Anyway the point is... let's see those pics!

Kris said...

Just don't start pulling out the mullet pictures. No one needs to go down that road (again).