Search - Indigenous :: Chasing the Sun

INDIGENOUS... THE BRIGHTEST SHINING STAR IN BLUES ROCK!

The Electroacoustic Metallurgist | USA | 09/12/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I will talk specifically about this CD in a moment, but first let me start by addressing all the comparisons you hear of Indigenous to Stevie Ray Vaughan, or more specifically comparisons of the guitar playing of Mato Nanji and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Yes, their guitar sound and style is similar, and yes there is no doubt that SRV was exceptional on the guitar. However, although there are many that do, I am not one that raises SRV to the nonsensical level of a guitar demigod who will never be equaled. That is simply ridiculous. And lets be real, there are many examples of music artists who receive this conspicuous importance only after their untimely deaths. We all loved SRV and may he rest in peace.



Well, fortunately for us Mato Nanji is alive and well, and I am just going to come right out and say it, Mato is every bit the guitar player SRV was, and dare I say better? And I in fact much prefer the songs and music of Indigenous, and the guitar playing of Mato Nanji. Mato's guitar playing just has a sound and fluidity, which to me just sounds much better than anything I've heard from SRV. Mato's guitar playing is powerful, skillful, soulful and if you really love great blues guitar music you may often find the combination of Mato's voice and guitar playing a moving experience to listen to.



Now, about this CD specifically. In short, this CD is terrific, one of their best, solid from beginning to end. There is not a bad track on this CD, and more than a few are really great. To date 'Live At Pachyderm Studio' is still my favorite Indigenous recording but 'Chasing The Sun' is still great from start to finish and absolutely worth the purchase price. However, in my opinion if you want to hear Mato & Family at the top of their game buy 'Live At Pachyderm Studio', this CD is in a word, awesome. 'Live At Pachyderm Studio' has a much-much harder sound than any other Indigenous recording and Mato's guitar playing is phenomenal. Now, I know what you are thinking.... live recordings $uck, and for the most part you are correct, they do. However, trust me, this one does not. Although it is a live recording it is an in studio recording with very good sound quality, and currently this recording is the vehicle that showcases Mato's extraordinary guitar talent."

Despite a drastic line-up change, Indigenous (Mato Nanji) de

all7willdie82 | Louisiana, USA | 07/06/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"To the naked eye, it would seem that the once family band Indigenous has turned into "The Mato Nanji Experience"...this is both true and false, let me explain.



In a nutshell, this is not the same band that delivered the outstanding "Things We Do" and "Circle" offerings, but it's also not the same Indigenous that brought us 2003's major label mis-step "Indigenous". Mato Nanji (vocals/guitar) and brother PTE (bass) are the only original members that remain, cousin Horse (percussion) and sister Wanbdi (drums) have left the fold.



Basically the split was brought on from all the members wanting to try new musical styles. The break up made everyone happy and there was no bad blood between siblings (sister Wanbdi even co-wrote "The Way You Shake").



Anyway, on to the music. The biggest problem most people had with 2003's "Indigenous" was the horrendously muddy production the Davey Brothers slabbed over the disc's somewhat mediocre songs (note: the album wasn't without its high points). "Chasing the Sun" has crystal clear production from Steve Fishell with just enough rawness to keep the tracks sounding organic.



"Come on Home" and "Fool Me Again" are very nice slow paced ballads. Mato mentioned he focused more on his singing in the past year than his guitar playing and these two tracks show the payoff. We are also treated to the 6 minute instrumental "Out of Nowhere" which Mato uses as a showcase for his SRV/Reed style rhythm chops glazed with a subtle tremolo effect.



The disc's overall feel is mid to up tempo tunes with the 2 above mentioned tracks being the only slower paced 'ballads'...with the exception of the album's closer, a nice version of Bob Dylan's "Born in Time". The main strength of this release is that the songs all benefit greatly from very strong vocal hooks and tastful accompanyment from Mato.



It seems that the main agenda Indigenous had upon releasing this disc was to add a more streamlined melodic sheen (I don't want to use the term radio-friendly) to their core roadhouse blues foundation. Surprisignly the formula works very well. Long time fans should get their fix with funky/bluesy numbers like "I'll Be Waiting" and "The Way You Shake". New comers who've heard 'word-of-mouth' about Nanji's guitar prowess will likely enjoy the instrumental "Out of Nowhere" and the fiery leadwork of "Leaving". And just about every song has some sort of undeniable hook in the chorus that merits repeated listens.



While some people will look at "Chasing the Sun" as Mato Nanji's attempt to cash in on the Indigenous name and offer a radio friendly sell out cash grab...nothing could be farther from the truth."

Very Pleased

L. McGahey | Kalamazoo, MI United States | 08/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I buy Indigenous music for the guitar playing and am very pleased with "Chasing The Sun". Nice guitar and vocals good sound and OK songs. I love to hear the Lonnie Mack sound be expanded by Mato Nanji to a new horizon. I loved the old sound and I love the new sound of the band."