Customer Reviews

Signs of a Struggle

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There's not even one bad track on this endlessly enjoyable, imaginative superb debut! Reggae, hip&hop, calypso, jazz, trip-hop, house, blues, funk, deep bass flawlessly blend into each other and create this beautiful unique sound that is Mattafix. From the very strong opening track Gangsta Blues to the last notes of the final track it's one jaw-dropping moment after another. I seriously wanted to find some flaws with the album but that wasn't possible. Singer Marlon Roudette's melancholic falsetto brings beautiful moody depths to the songs. You'll be instantly hooked to this gloriously melodic album and so will your friends!

As i said there's no bad track on this album. My favs are (aside from the obvious trio of Gangsta Blues, Big City Life and Passerby) To and Fro, I to You, 11:30 and the sublimely hypnotic 555.

This is the band i've been waiting for since Massive Attack!!!(they might remind you of MA meets Cornershop meets Sly&Robbie meets Tricky) Finally here!!! A shame though that the Virgin on Union Square doesn't carry this! What gives?!?!?

BTW, Mattafix is from St.Vincent(West Indies) slang "matter fixed" meaning "no problem".

YOU'D BE AN UBER-FOOL IS YOU MISS THIS ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I listened to this album from a friend of mine who spent six months stationed in Germany. He picked up on this band while in dance clubs and grabbed their CD. He lent it to me and I've not taken it out since.

I typically don't listen to music like this; I'm more of an Audioslave/Disturbed/insert heavy metal/rock band name sort of guy, but this music is just flat out catchy and very easy to digest.

I figure the reason why it's not playing on regular radio is because the record companies in the U .S. have pretty much bought up all the commercial FM stations to play their garbage (Mariah Carey wins three Grammys? What??). Look for Mattafix on XM or Sirius, because I'm sure it's there. It's the fashizzle, or whatever the young hipsters are saying these days.

If you're from the U.S., chances are, unless you've visited Europe in the last couple years, you've never heard of Mattafix. I was lucky enough to see and hear them non-stop on the video channels while we were in Switzerland for a few weeks in 2006, where I heard the two songs, Big City Life and To and Fro. I was instantly captured by their sound. They've been on my list for all this time, and i just got this CD. It's great that you can get the import CD from Amazon, but luckily, as I live in New Zealand now, it was easy to get them at a really reasonable price from Real Groovy here. I'm listening to it now, and people who aren't hearing this group are missing out. They have a unique funky sound. Highly enjoyable to listen to and the lyrics aren't senseless dreck. Get it and it will be on permanent rotation in your stereo or in your car.

I heard of Mattafix for the first time in June 2006 while on vacation in St. Vincent. Seeing a TV interview and liking the "Big City Life" track, I decide to purchase the CD in time for Christmas.

I must say, this has to be the best CD I ever bought! (Well, It's the only CD I've ever bought.) The varied musical styles and lyrical content are simply outstanding. Since acquiring the CD I've desisted from listening to my usual Rap/hip-hop/R&B stuff. On an almost daily basis I listen to a couple of his tracks.

Get this if you need something fresh. I can't find anything not to like here.

Favorite tracks (though I like them all):
To and Fro
11:30
Gangster Blues
Everyone Around You
Older
555
..damn! that's 6 of 13 tracks!

Can't believe this guy is not more popular in America. All of my friends who I've had listen to sample tracks all like it.

BTW the Track "Big City Life" is featured on EA's FIFA World Cup 2006 Game.

If ever Mattafix comes to the Caribbean to perform (he ought to, he IS a St. Vincentian), or I go to Europe, I am DEFINITELY going to see him perform.

I can't wait for his next album. GET THIS CD!

I picked this CD up while on holiday in Hong Kong funnily enough, after failing to find it in the UK.

Theres a song to suit every person and every mood on this album, but I expect most people will just end up loving them all. The solid production on this album will delight fans who demand something more than a repetitive bass-line with thier hip-hop (some of it's almost trip-hop) and the lyrics are varied in tone and subject matter.

Essential listening!

Wow!!! I've just returned from Europe where Mattafix is being played everywhere. This is simply the best stuff that has come out of anywhere for a while. The whole CD is magnificent - all songs are gems. Not confined to one genre. Vocally an emotion stirrer, musically crisp and vital, I just can't fault this at all. This certainly will be a classic of the future. Thank you Mattafix for being so brilliant!

BIG CITY LIFE is a song that captures your attention instantly, the lead singer has a unique voice and style, and after the song is over you are left with the distinct impression that the lead singer (Marlon) will be a force to be reckoned with for some time to come.

If you consider yourself current with music and someone who wants to be at the forefront of the music scene, make sure the next CD you purchase is Signs of A Struggle.

Jack Potter
Dubai

Well, Mattafix really has something deep in their songs. They are not simmilar to other pop-songs (which are basically about "Oh, I love her(him) and she(he) was so rude" etc.). Despite of the fact that I'm only 15 and my mother-language is russian I hate stupid songs that have neither something dainty nor the tune itself. I mean, most of my classmates are not interested 'bout lyrics of the particular song 'cause "melody is the main thing". My out-look therefore makes me a little prolix and conservative. When I heard "Big City Life" (I mean, the clip) I didn't enjoyed it at first, but, you know, time somehow's able to turn everything upside down, and listening to it at the second time I really, really loved this song. I felt that some tender chord of my heart twinkled in the most meraculous way! And so, now I have the highest estimationg of this band. It's worth to mention, that other songs are also rather unique, dainty and not easy of access for some naive teens like my "friends" (if they can be named this word). As you know, this songs tell us about us uor-selves: feuds, dispages, fleers, gal, treachery, misinterpretation, escapism, hesitation and "signs of a struggle". We are fast livers, we are too busy, "is leadership the same as treachery?". In my opinion, the lead singer Marlon Roudette (as well as his companion Preetesh Hirji) is very smart and hansome young man. Needless to say, he has a Prince-like falsetto!!!!! A magnificent voice!!!!! It sounds like lullaby (especially in songs "Gangster Blues", "Clear And Present Danger", "Older", "555" and "Everyone Around You"). Comparing other bands' debut albums Mattafix managed to do the BEST!!!
Olga Potapova, 15. From dirty russia.

This was pretty much in my soundtrack nonstop tromping through sunny Rome and rainy Amsterdam in '05. Like other's have said, every song on this album is impressive. From the reflective lyrics of "To and Fro", to the elegent samples in "11:30", to the first 30-seconds of the spliff-inspiring "Forgotten", what's really impressive about the album is its varied style and creativity.
I don't recall ever hearing any of these songs on the radio in America, but it's confidently recommended for purchase "sound unheard" by me. Introducing this album into your collection will bring some fresh air and style to your world.

This album is soooooooooo cool. Particularly track 2 that I keep listening again and again. the CD is in my car and keep me company on the road