Oct. 25th 2011: the most interesting world fusion One of the most interesting world fusion groups in the United States is Mawwal. -World Music Central Oct 9th 2011: one of the best I have heard Sight Up is a world fusion album and it is one of the best I have heard. And the best part for me at least, is the exceptional melodies sprinkled over the entire album, like a layer of goodness just waiting to be absorbed. -Sea of Tranquility Sept 14, 2011: a rewarding listen Sight Up is an album that doesn't sound like much of anything else, a combination of sounds Eastern and Western held together by the lyrical glue of Matus' visions. It's a disc full of accomplished musicians delivering sounds that channel a wide-ranging brand of mysticism, and a rewarding listen. -Valley Advocate February 14, 2009 : in Matus this all combines to a great totality Whether it's Middle Eastern percussion tribal rhythms from Africa or Klezmer influences in Matus this all combines to a great totality. The end result is not western music with a folkloristic character but rather, here different beginnings are fused The guitar may howl measures become oblique but finally the common rhythm according to which all people pulsate unites everything - progressive newsletter October 01, 2008 : magically mesmerizing Unconventional, fantastical and delightfully extravagant, Mawwal's This Is All There Is There Is No Other Place is magically mesmerizing - World Music Central September 15, 2008 : rebellious, bold and independent Mawwal's messages have a subtle political bent, and their daring music also displays something rebellious, bold and independent. It's nice to see melodic creativity that incorporates elements of adventure, excitement, challenge and danger - Joe Ross/Independent reviewer September 01, 2008 : Jill O'Brien's haunting vocals soar Taking the title from a passage by Terrence McKenna on transcendental revelation, Jim Matus (also of Paranoise) and company have prepared a world-beat platter that is a big step forward from previous efforts, particularly regarding focus and execution of intent. Concentrating on Middle Eastern and central Asian musics, Mawwal has practically created a neo-trad subgenre, a sort of ethno-specific folk that utilizes authentic instruments (djembe, laouto, saz), but isn't allergic to the occasional infectious occidental rock groove. Jill O'Brien's haunting vocals soar, whether supporting Matus's chesty tenor or while soloing. Violinist Rohan Gregory lays down a fiery solo on Bela Sehida (Land of the Martyrs). Allah Hu (Only God) features a furious Harshal Tole tabla cadenza, and none other than Percy Jones delivers his trademark slippery fretless bass work on three cuts. By focusing on the music of war-torn regions in the greater Near East, and that of stateless peoples from that same region, Mawwal -- as with most of Matus's efforts -- serves as a conscience for those privileged few whose status draws from the exploitation of the not-so-fortunate many - John Patrick/Progression August 01, 2008 : I could listen to this over and over forever All taken, this is an excellent second step; I could listen to this over and over forever! - Peter Thelen/Expose July 15, 2008 : faultless laouto, saz and mandocello work The songs are traditional of the Afghanistan, Pakistan regions and they have been arranged here by Jim Matus, creating a style that pulses energy and radiates warmth and tranquility, forming the heart of the Mawwal sound. This core sound is driven by faultless laouto, saz and mandocello work, accompanied by excellent tabla and violin mastery. The bass and drum work steers the fusion of East and West, and the vocal only edges the compositions further into a cultural understanding. - Aural inovations June 01, 2008 : Feed Your Head From the first track, listening to Mawwal this is all there is there is no other place is like absorbing some bizarre hallucinogenic compound through your armpits in a Waziristan sweat lodge. Drawing heavily on traditional Middle Eastern South Asian music and academic icons like Joe Zawinu
