Album Review : Matisyahu - 'No Place to Be'

Album Review : Matisyahu - 'No Place to Be'

The DVD chronicles a Matisyahu concert in Tel Aviv, Israel, in December 2005, enriched with spontaneous performances on the streets of Jerusalem and interviews. EPs piggybacked onto holiday DVD releases aren't usually worth multiple spins, but 'No Place to Be' is the exception.

The seven-track CD is actually the jewel of this package thanks to its inclusion of clever, catchy remixes of some of the Hasidic reggae phenom's hookiest songs, including "Jerusalem" and "Chop 'Em Down." Sly & Robbie are behind the boards for the former and also back the singer on the EP's smart cover of the Police`s "Message in a Bottle."

Avant producer/bassist Bill Laswell's instincts mesh seamlessly with Matisyahu's elsewhere. While beautifully shot, the live DVD gets off to a glacial start and never quite reaches its potential. Slotted in between songs, though, are a few genuinely gorgeous clips of Matisyahu being interviewed and/or filmed in the streets of Israel.

(taken from music.monstersandcritics.com)