Customer Reviews

Chasing the Sun

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

I would have to disagree with the overview of the cd. I don't look at Indigenous (Mato) as a SRV copy. I discovered this guy at a small blues event at a park in Indianapolis a few years ago... Never heard of them before. I was there to see another very talented ( yet somewhat unknown Joe Bonamassa ) up and coming artist. I was BLOWN away by how good they were. I went out and bought the self-titled cd and Circle.. I've been on board every since. Now I have all their stuff and love it. I think people will really like this cd if they give it a listen. There are a couple of songs that should be instant hits .. Come On Home for instance.. I'd give it high marks. I wish they would come back out this way on tour. Saw them at a small club called the Vogue and they blew the roof off the place. It is a little disappointing that Mato's sisters isn't banging the drums with the group anymore. She was HOT.. Buy it people..you won't be disappointed that you did.

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.

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.

I thought the previous self-titled offering from Indigenous's was their best effort to date. This is right up their. Not a big departure from the last but maybe a little bit more diverse. I will say Mato's vocals have caught up to his guitar abilities on this one. His best vocal work to date. A lot of heart and soul in song writing on this one. As always the guitar work is awesome.

If you're one of the types that have a problem with artists sounding similar to their influences, just move on because Mato's got some major SRV action going on. And theirs nothing wrong with that! I'm a huge fan of SRV and as I remember early in SRV's career he was considered a Hendrix clone. So cut Mato some slack! He's a great guitarist and musician! As the previous post states he is "The Brightest Shining Star in Blues Rock" period!!

I'm very proud of "Mato" he represents our Tribe "Ihanktonwan" which are the Yankton Sioux People. He comes from a very well known family on the Yankton Reservation. Even though Indigenous consists of his brother and himself, his music comes from his heart. I was surprised at some of the other comments. All I can say is I love his music.

Sincerely,
John

From the first drum beat to the final guitar note this album is amazing. The songs are good the first time around and only get better with every listen. Mato Nanji's vocals are soulful, emotional and powerful. His guitar playing is always killer and inventive within the blues idiom. In my opinion this album should certainly be the standard by which all other blues-based albums are measured.

...Maybe this was too soon? I loved Indigenous . The last EP...Long Way Home... I thought was incredible...that was the Indigenous I always hoped they would become. So I had reasonably high expectations for this record. Well Im afraid this album is a step backwards for Mato. The material is good ...but not great. The guitar work is solid ...but uninspired and repetitive. The songs arent particularly memorable. I can only hope the next album goes back to the sound they formed on Long Way Home.... that was evolution for the band... this CD is regression.

First impressions were HO HUM. More of the same with slight variations on the INDIGENOUS formula, but nothing new. After many listens, this has again grown on me ( very much like the last one ). MATO has an uncanny ear for a killer hook and reels you in, time and time again. After half a dozen listens, you find yourself singing along to songs that you didn't think you'd get to like. Might be more of the same, but it is the irripressable talent of MATO NANJI that carries you along and puts a smile on your face.

This is a great cd. Indigenious mixed up the style of the tracks a bit. Some fast, some slow, but all very good!