Spark Seeker

Album by Matisyahu

Spark Seeker
Studio album by
Matisyahu
ReleasedJuly 17, 2012
Recorded2011–2012
Genre
  • Pop[1]
  • hip hop
  • electronic
  • reggae fusion
Length55:31
LabelFallen Sparks Records, via RED
ProducerKool Kojak
Matisyahu chronology
Live at Stubb's, Vol. 2
(2011) 		Spark Seeker
(2012) 		Spark Seeker: Acoustic Sessions
(2013)
Matisyahu studio album chronology
Light
(2009) 		Spark Seeker
(2012) 		Akeda
(2014)
Singles from Spark Seeker
  1. ""Sunshine""
    Released: 2012
  2. ""Live Like A Warrior"[2]"
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[3]
Sputnikmusic[4]
Consequence of Sound[5]

Spark Seeker is an album by American reggae singer Matisyahu (Matthew Miller), which was released on July 17, 2012. It is his fourth studio release, and follows 2009's Light. Spark Seeker debuted at #19 on the Billboard 200 with first week sales of 16,000.[6] It debuted at #1 on the Billboard Reggae Chart.[7] The album was recorded in Los Angeles, California, and Tel Aviv, Israel. Miller considers Spark Seeker to be his attempt at a pop album.[8]

The vinyl LP version of the record was pressed at United Record Pressing in Nashville, TN.[9]

Cover art

The cover for Spark Seeker is a picture of a girl who was found in the Judean Desert, taken by Mary Margaret Chambliss, the wife of Matisyahu's agent. Yossi Belkin, the graphic designer behind the cover art, claimed that "the girl was happy and had a sparkle in her eye," to which Miller claimed "that's it, she is the spark seeker." Belkin claims that she gave the album a "pure, fresh, and young feel," and that after going through "dozens of drafts," this one was the "most iconic,[10]" Belkin considers this cover to be his proudest work, as of August 1, 2012. Belkin also designed the cover for Matisyahu's 2011's EP The Miracle.

It appears the girl is from a nomadic Muslim Bedouin family.[11] It is unknown [to the editor of this section] if the family was compensated [monetarily].

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Crossroads" (feat. J. Ralph)5:02
2."Sunshine"3:33
3."Searchin"4:18
4."Buffalo Soldier" (feat. Shyne)4:31
5."Fire of Freedom"4:29
6."Bal Shem Tov"5:05
7."I Believe In Love"4:16
8."Breathe Easy"5:01
9."Summer Wind"1:52
10."Live Like a Warrior"3:54
11."Tel Aviv'n"4:52
12."King Crown of Judah" (feat. Shyne and Ravin Kahalani)4:02
13."Shine on You"4:36

Personnel

  • Matisyahu- vocals
  • Ravid Khalani- vocals on "King Crown of Judah"
  • Kool Kojak- production
  • Jack Knight- Songwriting, Production, Background Vocals
  • J. Ralph- vocals on "Crossroads"
  • Shyne- vocals on "Buffalo Soldier" and "King Crown of Judah"
  • Rabbi Hagay Batzri- Vocals, vocals (background)
  • Noa Neve- vocals on "summer Wind"
  • Destani Wolf- vocals on "Crossroads" and "Live like a Warrior"

Charts

Chart (2012) Peak
position
U.S. The Billboard 200 19
U.S. Top Digital Albums 7
U.S. Top Independent Albums 3
U.S. Top Reggae Albums 1

Spark Seeker: Acoustic Sessions

Spark Seeker: Acoustic Sessions
EP by
ReleasedJanuary 29, 2013
Recorded2012
GenrePop, reggae, hip hop, acoustic
LabelFallen Sparks
Matisyahu chronology
Spark Seeker
(2012) 		Spark Seeker: Acoustic Sessions
(2013) 		Five7Seven2 Live
(2013)
Matisyahu EP chronology
Miracle
(2011) 		Spark Seeker: Acoustic Sessions
(2013) 		Release the Bound
(2016)

On January 29, 2013, Matisyahu released Spark Seeker: Acoustic Sessions, a six-song EP that features acoustic versions of songs from Spark Seeker. The iTunes versions includes an exclusive seventh track, "Silence."

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Crossroads"4:31
2."Live Like a Warrior"3:21
3."Sunshine"4:24
4."Searchin"2:55
5."Bal Shem Tov"3:47
6."I Believe in Love"5:28
7."Silence" (iTunes exclusive)6:08

References

  1. ^ Paul Zollo. "Matisyahu Discusses New Album Undercurrent". American Songwriter the Craft of Music. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  2. ^ "Live Like A Warrior" on YouTube
  3. ^ Jeffries, David (July 17, 2012). "Allmusic review". Allmusic.com. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
  4. ^ "Sputnikmusic review". Sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
  5. ^ "Consequence of Sound review". consequence.net. July 16, 2012. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
  6. ^ Kaufman, Gil (July 25, 2012). "Life Is Good For Nas Atop Billboard Charts". MTV. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  7. ^ https://www.billboard.com/artist/matisyahu/chart-history/
  8. ^ Paul Zollo. "Matisyahu Discusses New Album Undercurrent". American Songwriter the Craft of Music. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  9. ^ "Matisyahu – Spark Seeker – Fallen Sparks Records". Facebook. June 22, 2012. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  10. ^ Atara Arbesfeld. "Matisyahu's Graphic Designer Strives to Capture His Evolving Spirit (INTERVIEW)". The Algemeiner. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  11. ^ Mary Margaret Chambliss. "Israel". Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  • v
  • t
  • e
Studio albums
Live albums
Remix albumsSingles
  • "King Without a Crown"
  • "Jerusalem (Out of Darkness Comes Light)"
  • "One Day"
  • "Happy Hanukkah"
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