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Mystical Mood (Marshmellow, 2002) With all the attention that Hasidic singjay (or "rapper," as the press so often terms him) Matisyahu has gained recently, you're likely to hear more Jewish reggae popping up on the radar. If this makes you clap your hands like a little schoolgirl, you may want to check out Canadian Ron Wiseman, who recorded several albums before Matisyahu became an almost-household name. Just as Jamaican reggae varies from artist to artist, so does Jewish reggae, so it's not really fair to compare Wiseman to the "reggae rapper." That said, comparisons no doubt will arise as Matisyahu fans search for more of the "Jew-maican" sound. As indicated on Mystical Mood, Wiseman has a smoother, more easygoing reggae sound that leans toward pop and folksy rock but actually remains more true to the reggae genre than his better-known contemporary. About half of the album has a relaxed ska vibe (as relaxed as ska can be), with the rest blending roots and lovers rock with a occasional mild rock edge, as on the bluesy Eric Clapton-y "Blowing on the Coals." Wiseman's vocals are tender and understated and while they're occasionally overpowered by the music, he still maintains a nice, likeable tone, a bit like Bob Dylan if Bob Dylan could sing. In fact, tracks like "Waiting for a Miracle" and "Promised Land" sound like the type of cohesive folk-reggae fusion that Dylan might perform if had pursued reggae. The songwriting on Mystical Mood is excellent throughout: melodic and heartfelt with an intoxicating reggae vibe that will make you forget that Wiseman is Jewish. Or Canadian (not that either matters). Check out ronwiseman.com. |
| Track Listing 1. Measure for Measure 2. Mystical Mood 3. Blowing on the Coals 4. Relatively Speaking 5. Waiting for a Miracle 6. Promised Land 7. Running Dry 8. Henaini 9. Kedusha 10. Modern Idols 11. Bribes 12. Jericho 13. We Are the Prophecy |
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