reCAP :: Matisyahu w/ Bill Laswell's Method of Defiance + Stan Ipcus :: 2016.03.11
In a homecoming of sorts, White Plains native Matisyahu played The Cap on March 11, providing an energetic, enlightening, and gloriously extra-long set for fans, family, and friends. If you were in the crowd and didn't feel anything, you were likely as dead as Bernie from the “Weekend at” series. The Jewish reggae star and beatbox master dug down deep with his band (the tightest he’s ever had), and lifted his already inspirational songs to deeper levels and extended lengths.
As you know by now, Matisyahu made some waves when he shed his Hasidic image a few years back. He had broken out in that religious attire and belief system some ten years ago with his breakout Live at Stubbs record, but chose to move on from Hasidic life and change course on his Judaic belief system. The image has changed. The labels are gone. The music has gotten arguably better, and he’s always stayed true to himself by openly stating his current thought process. He's been a vessel for peace for years. If you follow his new music, you've seen the evolution of a man, a performer, and a songwriter.
It was all on display at The Cap last week, and thankfully, he didn't want to leave the stage - he wanted to celebrate his home and likely his newfound path. And while the concert itself paid homage to the 10th anniversary of his breakthrough Grammy nominated LP Youth, it was songs released later in his career that resonated the most for me. Personally, “Tel Aviv’n” off “Spark Seeker” and “Surrender” off his deeply personal “Akeda” album brought me to a higher level. I felt every line, every riff, ever beat, every improvised note… I felt it all. I’m not a deeply religious man, but at the concert last week, I felt like I was part of a spiritual journey with an audience filled with believers.