Down Beat (p.74) - 3 stars out of 5 - "[He] integrates his vocals and raps on Old Testament-style spirituality with an assimilated band that his completely comfortable with reggae foremost then hip-hop, funk and rock."
This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.
Personnel: Matisyahu (rap vocals); Aaron Dugan (guitar); Josh Werner (bass guitar); Jonah David (drums); Yoni.
Recording information: Stubbs Bar-B-Q, Austin, Texas (02/19/2005).
A musical and religious anomaly, Matisyahu (born Matthew Miller) channels his Hasidic Jewish beliefs into deft lyrics unleashed in a surprisingly fierce and proficient raggamuffin style and supported by strong reggae grooves. Here Matisyahu presents his divinely inspired songs live, recorded at 2005's SXSW music festivals, backed by a tight band that is capable of navigating dreamy dub passages ("Fire and Heights") and careening through energetic funk-rock ("Chop 'Em Down").