I’m a bit conflicted about my first single review of the day. Matisyahu’s ‘One Day’ (out 14th June on 100% Records) turns up in a number of forms. In its traditional album mix there’s a definite post Fugees/Wyclef ‘cod Marley’ kind of vibe in the reggae lite styled strummed backing, add to that lightly touched strings and you have something of a middling pop number. Don’t get me wrong its a good enough vocal with an earnest and somewhat authentic reggae leaning. The single mix adds Akon to the mix although for my money its a bit of a pointless exercise. The track doesn’t need any big name backing and if anything it only serves to dilute the whole affair.
Jakwob turns up for the remix and rather than go down his trademark wobble route delivers something a rootsier blend of reggae and dark electronics. Strings dip in and out and the vocal is given a distant shade of reverb. Definitely the tastiest version of the lot. Oh and Matisyahu sports a convincing beard as well, not like many of the milksop indie kids who serve up cat lick facial hair offerings.
Next up is the debut from Angel who releases his debut ‘Patience Is A Virtue’ album this week. The album landed on my desk in a particularly shit mixtape format. Using a rave horn blast in between segments of tracks is not mixing so whoever thought that little idea would fly wants sacking pronto. As a consequence, the twenty tracks I am offered here are bland rambling cut ups of soul, R’n’B and rap. There are of course obligatory lift and sample opportunities (Michael Jackson et al) but robbing other folks does fuck all to lift my spirits and does nothing to alleviate the relentless tedium and monotony of this frankly shit collection of songs.
That is all.
(y’alright there Roz! :P)
