JEWISH JAM BAND MEETS JAH

4 STARS

Epic

IF you're waiting for the punch line about the Hasidic Jew who made a reggae album, the joke's on you. On his second disc, Matisyahu delivers one of the most heartfelt, spiritually uplifting and socially conscious albums since the late Bob Marley shuffled off to meet Jah.

Sure, Matisyahu may be pious and responsible, but he's not dull, and his lyrics don't preach. The album injects Phish-ified rock jams into island melodies, resulting in some of the record's best tracks, the acoustic redemption song "What I'm Fighting For" and the dancehall prayer "King Without a Crown," mixed by Beastie Boy Mike D.

Be warned, there's lots of God and no references to reefer or babes. Matisyahu keeps the music as kosher as his beliefs.