Product Description

Matisyahu, one of the most-talked about new artists of 2005 comes out with his brand new studio album Youth. The followup to his highly-acclaimed Live At Stubb's, features production by Bill Laswell, along with Jimmy Douglass and Ill Factor, and features 11 new songs including recent live favorites 'Fire of Heaven / Altar of Earth (Fire's Burning)', 'Jerusalem', 'Ancient Lullaby (Mist Risin')', and the title track, 'Youth'. Don't miss one of the most anticipated albums of 2006. Epic.

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The thumbnail description of Matisyahu: File under Hasidic Beatbox Reggae. Despite having markings of novelty, it's really nothing of the sort. Fronted by a man named Matisyahu (born Matthew Miller), they are truly a band. Two independently released CDs brought them a rapid and well-deserved ascent, making their signing with a major label a logical step. Youth benefits from a more expansive sound and production by the fantastic Bill Laswell (Golden Palominos, Laurie Anderson, the Last Poets). Matisyahu's singing and the substance of his songs (spiritual living, self-awareness, the value of knowledge and learning, kindness to others) are presented with a loving sincerity, and buoyed by tremendous musicianship. In particular, drummer Jonah David and guitarist Aaron Dugan bring a wider set of influences and interests to their playing than the reggae tag the band often gets. Free of any proselytizing, this melding of Talmudic teachings and Jamaican rhythms flows so naturally that it underscores the shared roots of the two cultures. --David Greenberger

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